This Call for Proposals (CFP) is formulated and released according to the Regulations on the Management of the Research Fund for International Young Scientists (the Fund) published by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) on December 23, 2014. Host institutions and applicants should prepare and submit proposals for the Fund following the requirements of this CFP.

The Fund supports foreign young scientists to conduct basic research in mainland China in all areas of science, engineering and health research which are covered by NSFC with the aim to promote sustainable academic collaboration and exchanges between Chinese and foreign young scientists. Grantees are also eligible for renewing the Fund once based on review and selection.

I. The Fund

A. How to Apply

Applicants with foreign citizenship should directly apply to NSFC through their host institutions in China.

B. Eligibility

Applicants with foreign citizenship should meet the following qualifications:

1. Less than 40 years old by January 1, 2018 (born on or after January 1, 1978).

2. Have a Ph.D. degree.

3. Have experience of conducting basic research projects or postdoctoral research.

4. Guarantee of full-time work at the host institutions during the project implementation.

5. Abide by Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while doing research in China.

C. Award Information

Project Duration:  One year or two years starting from January 1, 2019.

Award size: RMB 200,000 Yuan per project for one year or RMB 400,000 Yuan per project for two years, and the award is direct cost.

D. Proposal Submission

Proposals should be submitted via the Internet-based Science Information System (ISIS) after January 15, 2018. Applicants should complete the proposal forms following the online instructions and outlines for the Fund. After online submission, applicants should print and sign a PDF version of the final application form and submit it in time to NSFC through the host institution along with the supplementary documents.

E. Supplementary Documents

1. Copy of agreement signed by the applicant and the host institution. The agreement should include the following items:

1) Signatures by the applicant and the host institution and inclusion of the subsistence cost provision.

2) The subsistence cost provided by the host institution should cover the funding period, or the agreement should include terms guaranteeing the applicant will work in China during the funding period.

3) The agreement should be signed and sealed by the legal person of the host institution.

2. Copies of the front pages of no more than five representative papers.

F. When to Send the Paper Proposals

NSFC will receive the paper application forms and supplementary documents from March 1, 2018 to March 20, 2018 (due by 16:00 Beijing time) excluding weekends and official holidays.

For applications sent by post, the date of posting (as shown on the post mark) should not be later than the deadline date.

II. Renewal of the Fund

A. Application

The Renewal of the Fund is either for one year or two years. Awardees of Funds which end on December 31, 2018 may apply for Renewal of the Fund. The awardees should apply via the ISIS between August 20 and September 21, 2018 and complete the proposal forms following the online instructions and outlines for the Fund. Progress and outcome of the previous funding should be clearly stated in the proposal. After online submission, applicants should print and sign a PDF version of the final application form and submit it in time to the host institutions along with the supplementary documents.

B. Award Information

Project Duration:  One year or two years starting from January 1, 2019.

Award size: RMB 200,000 Yuan per project over one year or RMB 400,000 Yuan per project over two years, the award is direct cost.

C. Supplementary Documents

1. Copy of agreement signed by the applicant and the host institution. The agreement should include the following items:

1) Signatures by the applicant and the host institution and inclusion of the subsistence cost provision.

2) The subsistence cost provided by the host institution should cover the funding period, or the agreement should include terms guaranteeing the applicant will work in China during the funding period.

3) The agreement should be signed and sealed by the legal person of the host institution.

2. The applicant’s entry and exit record from China during the period of the previous project: A list with the dates of entry and exit and copies of the passport stamps should be provided.

3. Copies of the front pages of no more than five representative papers.

D. Where and When to Send the Paper Proposals

Proposal Receiving Group

Room 101, 83 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085

NSFC will receive the paper application forms and supplementary documents from September 17, 2018 to September 21, 2018 (due by 16:00 Beijing time).

For applications sent by post, the date of posting (as shown on the post mark) should not be later than the deadline dates.

III. The Host Institution

The host institution should organize application work in light of the provisions of NSFC’s Regulations on Host Institutions Management. The host institution should be responsible for the authenticity, completeness and compliance of the proposals and submit the application documents in time to NSFC. The host institution should bear in mind the following requirements:

A. All proposals and supplementary documents (both the electronic version and the paper version) should be submitted to NSFC before the deadlines. For each proposal, only one copy of paper documents is needed. The host institution should sign and seal the proposals.

B. The host institution should verify each item of the electronic application package via ISIS.

C. The host institution should provide an official letter and a list of all the applications when submitting the paper application documents. Incomplete documents will not be accepted.

Project Manager

Xuxia Zhao

R. & D. Management, CNITECH

Phone: +86-574-8669 3725

Email: zhaoxuxia@nimte.ac.cn