International Cooperation and Exchange

    NSFC has consistently stressed the important roles of intenational cooperation and exchange in the improvement of academic standards in the field of basic research and in the promotion of the development of science funds in China. At present, a mechanism of international cooperation and exchange composed of a broad network of cooperation, supported by a large amount of special fund from the national natural science fund and involved in a variety of projects and activities of cooperation and exchange, is being formed in NSFC step by step under the extensive support from scientists in the country and through the efforts of many years. Up to now, NSFC has established good working relations and has signed 56 collaborative agreements and memoranda of understanding with science funding organizations and intrnational scientific institutions in 38 countries and regions all over the world. In the future, NSFC will continuously carry out its policy of "opening up more channels, emphasizing key projects and improving the standard and quality of international cooperation and exchange"and push forward activities with substantial research contents on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, trying to create a favorable environment for Chinese scientists to conduct international cooperation and exchange.

1. Categories of Projects of International Cooperation and Exchanges
(1) Major joint research program
    It mainly funds international big science projects and plans initiated or participated by Chinese scientists, major research projects by utilizing large-scale scientific facilities, major projects with positive prospects for cooperation and participated by world-leading scientists jointly recommended by NSFC and its counterparts.
(2) Cooperative projects under MoU
    Supprot is provided to cooperative projects and exchange activities jointly recommended by NSFC and its foreign counterparts with which NSFC has signed MoU or agreements, including personnel exchange, bilaterial workshops and joint research activities.
(3) Academic conferences held in China
    International conferences (indluding bilateral workshops) of high standard to be held in China and organized by Chinese scientists are encouraged and financially supported.
(4) Academic conferences held abroad
    Chief or principal scientists undertaking NSFC＇s projects are supported to attend international conferences held abroad.
(5) Fund for Chinese scholars abroad to work or lecture China
    Support can be given to prominent Chinese scholars abroad to work or lectur for a short period of time in Chinese research institutions.
(6) Cooperative projects of State key laboratories