Research Fellowship for International Young Scientists
(Trial Implementation)

Orientation of the Research Fellowship

The Research Fellowship for International Young Scientists (hereafter abbreviated as the Research Fellowship) is oriented to encouraging excellent international young scientists to conduct basic research in the field of natural sciences in mainland China, so as to promote the research collaboration and academic exchanges between Chinese and international young scientists.

Application and Funding Procedure

1. Institutional recommendation is adopted, whereby applicants submit their applications to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereafter abbreviated as NSFC) via their host institutions in mainland China. Research institutes and universities affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China are defined, during the period of the trial implementation of the Research Fellowship in 2009, as qualified host institutions for the recommendation of eligible applicants.

2. NSFC is responsible for the issuance of guidelines for application. Applicants first submit their applications and necessary documents to the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Education via their host institutions. After evaluation and selection, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education send the name lists of recommended nominees, together with recommendation letters, to NSFC.

3. The Research Fellowship provides research grants only, and the host institutions are obligated to cover all living expenses, insurance costs and other necessary living and working facilities for the grantees during the implementation of the research projects.

4. The duration of the funded project is 6 months or 12 months. A request for continuing funding for up to 12 months after the conclusion of the funded project is allowed on the basis of the requirements of the research work.

Eligibility for Application

Eligible applicants for the Research Fellowship shall meet the following requirements:

1. Excellent international young scientists with Ph.D. degree, under the age of 35 by January 1st of the year of application;

2. More than 3 years of basic research experience or post-doctoral experience in the university or research institution;

3. Abide by Chinese laws and the relevant regulations on the management of the National Natural Science Fund during the stay in China.

Requirements for the host institutions

1. The host institutions shall be registered institutions at NSFC;

2. The host institution shall appoint a coordinator who will provide policy consultation for international young scientists and assist with the management concerned, such as the management of research funds, etc.;

3. The host institution shall sign an agreement with the applicant, in which indispensable contents are as follows:

a. The title, research orientation and expected results of the proposed research project;
b. Living conditions and working facilities provided by the host institution during the implementation of the research project;
c. Commitment of full time working at the host institution during the implementation of the research project by the applicant.

Application and Review

1. Application

a. The applicant fills in the standard application form designated by NSFC for the Research Fellowship and sends it, with an enclosure of two recommendation letters and necessary documents, to the host institution in mainland China;
b. An agreement shall be signed between the applicant and the host institution;
c. The host institution forwards, according to its affiliation, the application either to the Chinese Academy of Sciences or to the Ministry of Education;
d. The Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education then recommend to NSFC a list of recommended nominees who are selected on the basis of assessment of those applications forwarded by their affiliated universities or research institutes.
e. Applicants who are recommended by the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Education submit application to NSFC via the NSFC Internet-based Science Information System.
f. NSFC is responsible to organize panel evaluation on the applications submitted by the recommended nominees.

2. Review

All application and review procedures pertaining to the Research Fellowship shall be governed by the Regulations on the National Natural Science Fund (hereafter abbreviated as the Regulations).

Procedures of the acceptation and review of research applications are as follows:

a. NSFC makes announcement to call for proposals and accept applications accordingly;
b. NSFC is responsible to assemble the applications by the applicants, the assessments produced by host institutions and the recommendations by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education;
c. A panel evaluation is subsequently organized by NSFC.

3. Review Criteria

a. Education and research capability and potential of the applicant;
b. Experience and achievements made by the applicant in basic research in the field of natural sciences;
c. Originality and scientific merits of the proposed research;
d. Prospects and expected results from the collaboration between the applicant and the host institution;
e. Reasonability and feasibility of the research plan and budget request proposed by the applicant.

4. Continuing Funding

Continuing funding is allowed for those funded research projects that have obtained sound progress and necessitate further research work after the conclusion of the research project.

a. An application for continuing funding shall be submitted to the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Education through the corresponding host institution two months prior to the conclusion of the on-going project. The Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Ministry of Education will, in turn, further propose recommendations to NSFC;
b. A panel evaluation will be organized by NSFC;
c. The continuing funding will be reviewed by the panel and approved by the council meeting of NSFC.

Implementation and Management

During the implementation of the funded research projects, all management work shall be carried out in line with the requirements laid out by the Regulations.

1. Upon receiving the notification of funding from NSFC, the applicant shall commence the research work in accordance with the research plan proposed in the application. The applicant and the host institution shall fulfill their respective obligations and promises according to the agreement signed between them. It is the task for the host institution and the appointed coordinator to assist the applicant in the implementation and routine management of the research project on the one hand, and to facilitate the communication and contact between the applicant and NSFC, etc., on the other hand.

2. During the implementation of the funded research project, all alternation, termination and adjustment of the research plan shall be realized in light of the Regulations.

3. The applicant is obligated to fill in a concluding report and, after the verification by the host institution, submit it to NSFC. A report on any research results stemming from the funded project is also required to be submitted to NSFC.

4. All research publications stemming from the funded project shall acknowledge the Research Fellowship as follows: "supported by the NSFC Research Fellowship for International Young Scientists".

Management of the research results achieved by the applicant during the implementation of the funded research project at the host institution shall be governed by NSFC's relevant regulations on the management of research results. Ascription, utilization and/or transfer of the intellectual properties produced by the research projects funded by the Research Fellowship shall be realized by proper observance of relevant State laws and regulations.

5. The host institution shall strictly comply with relevant regulations on the management of the National Natural Science Fund in the management of the funds provided by NSFC.