Source: National Natural Science Foundation of China website
Notice on the application and conclusion of the 2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China
National Science and Technology King's Plan [2024] No. 1
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as the National Natural Science Foundation of China) adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implements the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the 1st and 2nd Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, deeply studies the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on basic research, especially the third collective study of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and adheres to the "four aspects" and "two-legged walking" According to the overall deployment of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as the Science Foundation) to deepen the reform, focus on the three major tasks of basic research, applied basic research and talent training, solidly promote the implementation of various reform tasks, and carry out in-depth special rectification of review experts being "greeted", so as to make greater contributions to the realization of the high-quality development of basic research and high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement in the mainland.
In accordance with the arrangement of the funding management of the Science Foundation, the relevant matters related to the application of the 2024 Science Fund and the completion of the project at the end of the funding period in 2023 are hereby notified as follows.
1. Project application
(1) Acceptance of project applications.
1. The types of projects that will accept applications in 2024 include: general projects, key projects, key international (regional) cooperative research projects, youth science fund projects, regional science fund projects, outstanding young scientist fund projects, national science fund projects for distinguished young scholars, national science fund for distinguished young scholars, innovative research group projects, basic science center projects, foreign scholar research fund projects, mathematics Tianyuan fund projects, National major scientific research instrument development projects (free application) and some joint fund projects, etc. The centralized reception will start on March 1, 2024 and close at 4 p.m. on March 20, 2024.
2. For projects other than the above project types, the NSFC will publish guidelines separately. For international (regional) cooperation and exchange programs that accept applications at any time, applicants should try to avoid submitting applications during the centralized reception period.
(2) Matters concerning the applicant and the main participants.
1. Applicants should carefully read the Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), the 2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guidelines (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines"), the relevant types of project management measures, and the "Measures for the Management of Funds of National Natural Science Foundation of China" (Caijiao [2021] No. 177, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund Management Measures") After January 15, 2024, log in to the network information system of the Science Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the information system), and write the application in accordance with the outline and relevant requirements of the application for various types of projects. Applicants who do not have an information system account should apply for an account with the contact person for fund management of the relying unit.
2. In 2024, the restriction on the one-year suspension of applications for general projects after two consecutive years of unfunded applications will be lifted.
3. The fund management method of the science fund project is divided into the lump sum system and the budget system. In 2024, the Youth Science Fund Project, the Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and the pilot basic research projects for young students will implement a lump sum funding system, and applicants do not need to prepare a budget when applying for the project. The budget system shall be implemented for other types of projects, and the applicant shall carefully and truthfully prepare the project budget in accordance with the "Measures for the Management of Funds" and relevant regulations, in accordance with the basic principles of "target relevance, policy consistency, and economic rationality", combined with the actual needs of project research. Additional budget review for the renewal of funding projects of the Basic Science Center. Strictly carry out the budget review of major national scientific research instrument development projects, and will not fund projects whose application funds seriously exceed the actual needs. If there is a cooperative research unit in the project application, the applicant and the participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare the project budget separately according to the research tasks they undertake, and the project applicant shall summarize and compile it after being reviewed by the unit.
4. Applicants should choose one type of research attribute from "free exploration basic research" and "goal-oriented basic research" according to the research content of the application. Among them, "free exploration basic research" refers to original and cutting-edge basic research whose topic selection stems from the curiosity or innovative academic inspiration of scientific researchers and does not aim to meet the current application needs, while "goal-oriented basic research" refers to basic research that is driven by the needs of economic and social development or the needs of the country.
For the general projects, youth science fund projects and key projects of the pilot classification review, the Natural Science Foundation Committee will organize experts to conduct classification review based on the research attributes selected by the applicants.
5. Applicants should invite the main participants to fill in their resumes online through the information system, and upload the resumes of the main participants in PDF format automatically generated by the system. For the representative papers in the resume, the applicant and the main participants should list all the authors' signatures according to the real situation at the time of publication, and mark their own signatures, and upload the PDF electronic version of the full text of the published representative papers. Representative monographs should be uploaded with scanned copies in PDF format, such as the cover, abstract, table of contents, and copyright page.
6. Applicants apply for general projects, youth science fund projects, regional science fund projects, key projects, outstanding youth science fund projects, national science fund projects for distinguished young scholars, national science fund projects for distinguished young scholars, innovative research group projects, basic science center projects, joint fund projects, national major scientific research instrument development projects and major projects, and the research period is automatically generated by the information system in combination with the project type, and the applicant cannot change it.
7. Before submitting the project application, the applicant shall obtain the consent of the main participants and the cooperative research institution for all the contents of the application materials.
8. If the project application submitted by the applicant involves a sensitive field of science and technology ethics, it shall be subject to an ethical review.
9. The applicant shall ensure that the e-mail address provided is unobstructed and valid, so that the applicant can receive the notice of approval or non-funding of the applied project and the relevant information of the expert review opinions in a timely manner after the project review is completed, otherwise the applicant shall bear the legal consequences arising therefrom.
(3) Matters relating to the supporting unit.
The supporting unit shall conscientiously perform the main responsibility, in accordance with the "National Natural Science Foundation of China Relying on the Unit Fund Management Measures", "National Natural Science Foundation of China Committee on Further Strengthening the Management of the Relying Unit Science Fund Several Opinions", relevant types of project management measures and fund management measures and relevant provisions of the requirements of the organization of the application work, the authenticity, completeness and compliance of the application materials submitted by the applicant of the unit shall be reviewed, and the application materials shall be submitted to the Natural Science Foundation of China within the specified time. The specific requirements are as follows:
1. The supporting unit shall ensure that the unit, the cooperative research unit, the applicant and the main participants are not restricted from applying, undertaking or participating in scientific and technological activities supported by financial funds.
2. The supporting unit should pay attention to the quality of project applications, and avoid blindly pursuing the number of project applications through "national mobilization", setting hard indicators, and implementing reward and punishment measures linked to whether or not to apply for the project.
3. The supporting unit shall download the "2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Supporting Unit Project Application Commitment Letter" from the information system in advance, sign it by the legal representative and affix the official seal of the supporting unit, and upload the electronic scanned copy to the information system (only need to upload it once this year). The relying unit can apply for the project only after completing the above-mentioned commitment procedures.
4. The supporting unit shall confirm and submit the electronic application form and attachment materials of the unit through the information system before the deadline for centralized reception of the project application, and be sure to submit the project application list of the unit online within 24 hours after the deadline, and the relying unit shall determine the deadline for receiving the project application of the unit according to the actual situation.
5. The supporting unit shall establish a sound scientific research ethics review mechanism to prevent ethical risks. In accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical norms, establish and improve the management system of ethics in science and technology, strengthen the ethical review mechanism and process supervision, strengthen publicity, education and training, and enhance the sense of responsibility and legal awareness of scientific research personnel in science and technology ethics and other aspects.
(4) How to submit application materials.
1. The National Natural Science Foundation of China fully implements paperless applications. The Application Form for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as the Application) for all types of projects shall be written online. Applicants should submit the electronic application form online and upload all relevant supporting letters, recommendation letters and other materials that require special explanations in electronic scanned copies. The relying unit only needs to confirm the electronic application form and attachment materials online, and does not need to submit paper application materials.
2. After the project is approved, the supporting unit shall submit the paper signature and seal page of the application form, and bind it at the end of the "Funded Project Plan" and submit it together. The signature and seal information should be consistent with the final electronic version of the application submitted in the information system. For those who fail to provide signature and seal materials in accordance with the above requirements, the Natural Science Foundation of China will deal with them in accordance with the relevant regulations.
(5) Announcement of the results of the preliminary examination.
The Natural Science Foundation of China will announce the results of the preliminary review of the application project before April 29, 2024 and accept the application for review.
Second, the project is concluded
(1) Matters of the person in charge of the project.
The person in charge of the project should carefully read the "Measures for the Management of Research Results of Projects Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China", the relevant types of project management measures and fund management measures and relevant regulations, write the "Conclusion/Achievement Report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China" (hereinafter referred to as the conclusion/achievement report), and ensure that the content of the report is true and the data is accurate, and at the same time pay attention to the protection of intellectual property rights, and shall not appear in the national "Science and Technology Confidentiality Regulations" The contents listed in the State shall not contain any confidential or sensitive information that violates the provisions on scientific and technological secrecy and scientific and technological security.
1. The project leader logs in to the information system, writes the conclusion/achievement report and submits the attachments electronically and online; after the approval of the Natural Science Foundation of China, the project leader downloads and prints the final conclusion/achievement report in PDF format, and submits the original paper final/achievement report (excluding attachment materials) signed to the supporting unit. The project leader shall ensure that the content of the paper conclusion/outcome report is consistent with the electronic version after the review.
2. The person in charge of the project shall, in accordance with the "Measures for the Management of Funds" and relevant regulations, as well as the specific requirements of the "Instructions for the Preparation of the Final Accounts of the National Natural Science Foundation of China", work with the scientific research, finance and other departments to clean up the accounts and assets in a timely manner, and truthfully prepare the "Final Accounts of the National Natural Science Foundation of China" to ensure that the final account data are true and accurate, and the capital expenditure is legal and effective. If more than one unit jointly undertakes a project, the project leader and the participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare the final accounts of the project separately, and after being reviewed by the unit, the project leader shall summarize and compile them.
3. When the project leader writes the conclusion/outcome report, he or she shall not include the papers that have not been officially published/published online or marked with the funding and project approval number of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in the conclusion/outcome report; shall not include the research results obtained by the project leader or non-main participants in the conclusion/outcome report; shall not include the research results unrelated to the funded project in the conclusion/outcome report; shall not directly copy the content of the paper as the conclusion/ (b) Achievements that are earlier than the start of project funding shall not be included in the conclusion/outcome report.
4. The project leader or main participant should include the results of popular science in the conclusion/achievement report in accordance with the requirements of the Opinions of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on Strengthening the Popularization of Science in the New Era, and upload and store the relevant papers to the information system in accordance with the relevant requirements of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on the open access of the funded project papers.
5. The project leader shall abide by the relevant provisions and be rigorous and prudent in the release, dissemination and application of the research results of the Science Foundation project involving sensitive issues of science and technology ethics.
6. After the completion of the project, the NSFC will publish the full text of the final/achievement report on the Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform (https://kd.nsfc.cn) and the National Science and Technology Report Service System (https://www.nstrs.cn) of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in accordance with relevant regulations.
(2) Relying on the unit's matters.
The supporting unit should attach great importance to the management of the conclusion of the science fund project, conscientiously perform the main responsibility of project management, supervise and guide the project leader to carefully write the conclusion/achievement report, and review the final materials in strict accordance with the requirements of relevant management regulations.
1. The relying unit shall first submit the electronic version of the final materials through the information system, and then submit the paper version of the final materials after being reviewed and approved by the Natural Science Foundation of China. The projects that should be completed if the final materials are not submitted on time shall be treated as overdue and included in the scope of the corresponding limited application, and the Natural Science Foundation Committee will deal with the project leader and supporting units in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations.
2. The relying unit shall review and confirm the final materials through the information system before 16:00 on February 26, 2024, and submit the original paper conclusion/achievement report signed and sealed by the unit (in duplicate) and the paper conclusion materials such as the official letter of the unit and the list of completed projects to the Natural Science Foundation of China by mail, and the incomplete materials will not be accepted.
3. Project progress report, annual management report and lump sum management regulations
(i) Project progress report.
The person in charge of the project logs in to the information system and writes the "Progress Report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China" (hereinafter referred to as the project progress report) online, and the relying unit shall review the project progress report through the information system in accordance with the requirements of the "Regulations" and related management measures, and confirm it item by item before January 15, 2024, without the need to submit paper materials. Those who fail to submit the project progress report in accordance with the provisions shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant regulations.
(ii) Annual management report.
The relying unit shall write the "Annual Management Report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China" (hereinafter referred to as the annual management report) online through the information system, and submit electronic materials from April 1, 2024 to 16:00 on April 15, 2024, without the need to submit paper materials. For the supporting units that fail to submit the annual management report within the specified time, the application for the next year's science fund projects will not be opened.
(3) Filing of the provisions on the management of the lump sum system.
According to the relevant provisions of the "Measures for the Management of Funds", the supporting unit for the use of the lump sum system for project funds shall formulate regulations on the management of the lump sum system for project funds. For the newly approved lump sum project in 2023 but has not yet completed the filing, the supporting unit shall report the lump sum system management regulations formulated by the unit to the Natural Science Foundation of China for the record before 16:00 on June 30, 2024; For the specific filing process, please refer to the Notice on the Filing of the Regulations on the Management of the Lump Sum System for Project Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Guo Ke Jin Cai Han [2021] No. 27).
Fourth, the receipt of materials
(1) The material receiving group is responsible for uniformly receiving materials delivered or mailed by the relying unit, and does not accept materials submitted directly by individuals and non-supporting units.
(2) The office of the material receiving group is located in Room 101, the administrative building of the Natural Science Foundation of China.
5. Other precautions
(1) When filling in the research results such as papers, the signatures of all authors shall be listed truthfully and standardly according to the true situation of the papers and other publications, and the order of the authors shall not be tampered with, and the first author or corresponding author shall not be falsely marked.
(2) For published research results (including patents), the project leader and participants should truthfully indicate that they have received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the project approval number, and if the science fund is the main funding channel or plays a major funding role, the science fund shall be marked as the first order.
(3) The Guidelines will be published on the website of the Natural Science Foundation of China in mid to early January 2024.
(4) Paper materials such as conclusion/achievement reports are recommended to be printed and bound on both sides.
(5) On June 1, 2023, the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) will issue the Basic Researcher ID (BRID) to assign codes to researchers with information system accounts. Starting in 2024, the BRID code of the project leader will be displayed on the application, project progress report, and final/outcome report.
6. Consultation and contact information
(1) Consultation telephone for various matters.
(2) Consultation telephone numbers of various departments.
(3) The address of the relevant website.
Official website of the Natural Science Foundation of China: https://www.nsfc.gov.cn
Website of the Network Information System of the Science Foundation: https://grants.nsfc.gov.cn
National Natural Science Foundation of China Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform: https://kd.nsfc.cn
(4) Contact information of the material receiving group.
Mailing address: No. 83, Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, Natural Science Foundation Committee Project Materials Receiving Working Group
Postal code: 100085 Tel: 010-62328591
National Natural Science Foundation of China
January 9, 2024