The NSFC Research Fund for Foreign Scholars program aims to support outstanding foreign researchers who voluntarily come to China to conduct research, select their own topics within the scope of NSF funding, carry out basic research in mainland China, and promote long-term and stable academic cooperation and exchange between foreign and Chinese scholars.

I. Project Description
　　(I) Project Type
　　The NSF Research Fund for Foreign Scholars includes the following three levels:
　　1. foreign young scholars research fund projects.
　　2. research fund projects for outstanding foreign young scholars
　　3. senior foreign scholars research fund projects.
　　(II) Funding Fields
　　Mathematical and Scientific Sciences (A), Chemical Sciences (B), Life Sciences (C), Earth Sciences (D), Engineering and Materials Sciences (E), Information Sciences (F), Management Sciences (G), Medical Sciences (H), and Interdisciplinary Sciences (T).
　　1. when selecting the application code, try to select up to the secondary application code (4 digits).
　　2. when filling out the application form, please fill in the "Research Direction" and "Keywords" accurately.
　　3. For applicants in the field of cross-cutting science, please first select the cross-cutting science division acceptance codes T01-T04, and then select at least two scientific division application codes from A-H according to the research content to fill in the application form. For details of the application codes, please refer to the NSF Project Guidelines for 2022.
　　(III) Funding intensity
　　The funding is for direct costs.
　　1. foreign young scholars research fund projects, 200,000 yuan/year/project.
　　2. foreign outstanding young scholars research fund projects, RMB 400,000 yuan/year/project.
　　3. senior foreign scholars research fund projects, RMB 800,000 yuan/year/project.
　　(IV) Funding period
　　The 1-year project starting and ending on January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024.
　　The 2-year project will start and end from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

II. Applicant Requirements
　　According to the Implementation Plan of the NSF Research Fund for Foreign Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following conditions.
　　(I). the Research Fund for Foreign Young Scholars Program
　　(1) Have obtained a doctoral degree within 6 years (obtained after January 1, 2016).
　　(2) Have experience in basic research or postdoctoral research.
　　(3) Ensure that they will be engaged in research work at the supporting unit for at least 9 months per year (natural year) during the funding period.
　　(4) Ensure that they comply with Chinese laws and regulations and the regulations of the Natural Science Foundation during their work in China.
　　(II). Outstanding Foreign Young Scholars Research Fund Program
　　(1) Within 15 years of obtaining a doctoral degree (obtained after January 1, 2007).
　　(2) Have a senior professional and technical title (position).
　　(3) Have the experience of undertaking basic research topics as a project leader.
　　(4) Ensure that he or she will be engaged in research work at the supporting unit for at least 9 months per year (natural year) during the funding period.
　　(5) Ensure that they comply with Chinese laws and regulations and the regulations of the Natural Science Foundation during their work in China.

　　(III). Senior Foreign Scholar Research Fund Program
　　(1) Have a senior professional and technical title (position).
　　(2) Should have high academic attainments and international influence.
　　(3) Ensure that he/she will engage in research work in the supporting unit for at least 9 months per year (natural year) during the funding period.
　　(4) Ensure that he or she complies with Chinese laws and regulations and the regulations of the Natural Science Foundation during his or her work in China.

III. Restricted Application Requirements
　　Applicants must follow the following restrictions when applying.
　　(1) Foreign Young Scholars Research Fund Program, Foreign Outstanding Young Scholars Research Fund Program, and Foreign Senior Scholars Research Fund Program: Only one grant can be awarded for the same level of project.
　　(2) Applicants for the Young Scholars Research Fund for Foreign Countries, the Outstanding Young Scholars Research Fund for Foreign Countries, and the Senior Scholars Research Fund for Foreign Countries are limited to a total of one application or undertaking in the same year, and may not apply as applicants for the Young Scientists Fund, the Outstanding Young Scientists Fund, the National Outstanding Young Scientists Fund, or the Innovative Research Group Project in the year of application. Research group projects.
　　(3) The following persons are not allowed to apply for the Foreign Young Scholars Research Fund: those who have received funding from the Foreign Outstanding Young Scholars Research Fund, the Foreign Senior Scholars Research Fund, the Young Scientists Fund, the Outstanding Young Scientists Fund [including the Outstanding Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macao)], the National Outstanding Young Scientists Fund, and the Innovative Research Group Program as the person in charge.
　　(4) The following persons are not allowed to apply for the Research Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars in Foreign Countries: those who have received funding from the Research Fund for Senior Scholars in Foreign Countries, the Outstanding Young Scientists Fund Program [including the Outstanding Young Scientists Fund Program (Hong Kong and Macao)], the National Outstanding Young Scientists Fund Program, and the Innovative Research Group Program as the person in charge.
　　(5) The following persons shall not apply for the Senior Foreign Scholars Research Fund Program: those who have received funding from the National Outstanding Young Scientists Fund Program and the Innovative Research Group Program as the person in charge.
　　(6) Other restrictions on the number of applications as stated in the NSF Project Guidelines for 2022.

IV. Instructions for declaration
　　(I) Notes to applicants
　　1. Before filling out the application form, applicants should carefully read the project guidelines and the relevant contents of the NSF Project Guidelines for 2022, and project applications that do not meet the project guidelines and relevant requirements will not be accepted.
　　2. Application language: English or Chinese.
　　3. Applicants should carefully read the content of the budget preparation requirements in the Application Instructions of the NSF Project Guide 2022 and strictly follow the requirements of the "Measures for the Management of Funds for NSF-funded Projects (Caijiao [2021] No. 177)" and the "Instructions for the Preparation of NSF Project Funds Budget Form" to carefully and faithfully prepare the NSF Project Funds 4. the applicant completes the application form.
　　4. After the applicant has finished writing the application, he/she should submit the electronic application and attached materials online through the Science Foundation Web Information System (https://isisn.nsfc.gov.cn/pmpweb/login). There is no need to submit a paper application. After the project is approved, the paper signed and stamped page of the application should be bound at the end of the Grant Project Proposal and submitted together. The signed and stamped information should be consistent with the electronic application form.
　　Annex materials: the contract (agreement) signed between the applicant and the relying unit. The contract (agreement) should include but not limited to the following.
　　(1) Applicant's nationality, passport number.
　　(2) The living conditions of the applicant during the implementation of the project and the necessary working conditions provided by the relying unit.
　　(3) Specify the applicant's working hours at the host institution.
　　The contract (agreement) needs to be signed by the applicant himself, signed (seal) by the legal representative of the relying unit and stamped with the official seal of the relying unit.
　　The nationality shown on the cover of the application must be consistent with the nationality of the applicant in the contract (agreement).

      5. Filling path: After logging into the Science Foundation web-based information system, select "RFIS Application", choose the role of "Foreign Scholar (RFIS)", and click on the menu bar " Application and Acceptance" - "RFIS Application" to enter the application interface; click "New Proposal", first select the scientific department to which the application project belongs: "Application for Scientific Departments (A-H) Then, click on the "Research Fund for Young Foreign Scholars", or "Research Fund for Outstanding Young Foreign Scholars", or "Application for Department of Interdisciplinary Sciences (T)". Then click on "Research Fund for Young Foreign Scholars", or "Research Fund for Outstanding Young Foreign Scholars", or "Research Fund for Senior Foreign Scholars", and enter the application form.
　　(II) Notes for the Supporting Unit
　　The supporting unit shall examine the authenticity, completeness and compliance of the application materials submitted by the applicant, and the relevance of the project budget, policy consistency and economic reasonableness. The relying unit should submit the electronic version of the application and attachments before the specified application deadline. Please upload the application list of your project through the Science Foundation web-based information system, and no paper copy is required.
　　The relying unit should complete the annual uploading of the "2022 NSF Project Application Commitment Form for Dependent Units" before submitting the project application (please refer to the "Notice on Matters Related to the Application and Closing of NSF Projects in 2022").
　　(III) Project application acceptance
　　The acceptance period for online application is: March 1, 2022 - March 20, 2022, 16:00 (Beijing time).
　　Note: Applicants are requested to fill out the application in strict compliance with the requirements of this project guide, and applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please call the project contact person.

V. Contact information

       https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab442/info83146.htm

      For more information for 2023. Contact Fadong LI by email lifadong@igsnrr.ac.cn