Preface

    In the past 15 years, NSFC has funded over 52,000 research projects of various categories by investing a total sum of 6.6 billion RMB, including 49,000 General Program projects, 1,369 Key Program projects, 188 Major Program projects and 3,000 Special Fund projects. More than 60,000 scientists are supported annually by NSFC to conduct basic research. In addition, 7,400 young researchers have been granted the Young Scientists Fund, 711 have been granted the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and 144 have been granted the Overseas, Hong Kong and Macao Young Scientists Cooperation Fund. With the consistent support from NSFC, a big number of major research achievements and breakthroughs have been obtained and NSFC has made important contributions in promoting the progress of Chinese basic research and talent training.