National Natural Science Foundation of China

The National Natural Science Foundation of the People's Republic of China (NSFC; 国家自然科学基金委员会) is a vice-ministerial institution under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for managing the National Natural Science Fund, the country’s primary funding mechanism for basic research^[1].

National Natural Science Foundation of China

中华人民共和国国家自然科学基金委员会
Agency overview
Formed	1986; 39 years ago (1986)
Jurisdiction	Ministry of Science and Technology (China)
Headquarters	Beijing
Agency executive	Dou Xiankang (窦贤康)

History

NSFC was founded on February 14, 1986 by theoretical chemist Tang Aoqing, with the approval of the State Council. Its mission is to support basic research, encourage free scientific exploration, identify and cultivate scientific and technological talent, and promote scientific and technological progress to support economic and social development.

In 2010, NSFC launched a medical department, analogous to the United States' National Institutes of Health.

In 2018, the NSFC was reorganized from an institution directly under the State Council to one administered by the Ministry of Science and Technology ^[2]. It remains responsible for planning funding programs, designing projects, organizing peer review, allocating grants, and overseeing their implementation. In March 2023, under the Reform Plan for Party and State Institutions issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the China Agenda 21 Management Center and MOST’s High Technology Research and Development Center (also known as the Basic Research Management Center) were transferred to the NSFC^[3].

Functions

The main functions of the NSFC include supporting research, managing funding, and promoting scientific and technological development in line with national policies. In particular, the NSFC^[4]:

• Administers state funds to support basic research in the natural sciences and selected applied research, and cultivates scientific and technological talent in line with national science and technology policies.
• Manages its operations by formulating research guidelines, reviewing project applications, allocating funding based on merit, and fostering an innovative research environment.
• Collaborates with the Ministry of Science and Technology on national policies, guidelines, and development plans for basic research, and provides consultation on major issues in high-tech and applied research.
• Supports other domestic natural science funds and promotes international cooperation with foreign science agencies, foundations, and academic organizations.
• Oversees and provides guidance to directly affiliated institutions.
• Carries out additional tasks assigned by the State Council and relevant government departments.

See also

• Cost per paper
• Ministry of Science and Technology (China)
• National Science Foundation (U.S.)