This Call for Proposals (CFP) is formulated and released according to the Measures 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. Requirements on the Fund in NSFC’s Guide to Programs 2015 are no longer effective.
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 among 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 apply to NSFC through their host institutions in China. Starting from 2015, applicants are no longer needed to be recommended by the Ministry of Education or the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
B. Eligibility
Applicants with foreign citizenship should meet the following qualifications:
1. Less than 40 years old by January 1, 2015 (born on or after January 1, 1975).
2. Have a Ph.D. degree.
3. Have experience of conducting basic research projects or postdoctoral research.
4. Guarantee 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, 2016
Award Size: RMB 200,000 Yuan per project over one year or RMB 400,000 Yuan per project over two years
D. Proposal Submission
Proposals should be submitted via the Internet-based Science Information System (ISIS) after January 15, 2015. Applicants should complete the proposal forms following the online instructions and outlines for the Fund. After submission online, applicants should print and sign a PDF version of the final application form and timely submit it to the host institution along with the supplementary documents.
E. When to Send the Proposals
NSFC will receive the paper application forms and supplementary documents during March 2, 2015 – March 20, 2015 (due by 16:00 Beijing time) excluding weekends and official holidays.
F. Supplementary Documents
1. Copy of agreement signed by the applicant and the host institution. The agreement should include the following items:
1) Signed between the applicant and the host institution and include 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 full-time in China during the funding period.
3) The agreement should be signed and sealed by the legal person of the host institution.
2. Copy of the applicant’s Ph.D. degree certificate: The Ph.D. degree certificate is not replaceable by other forms of documents or certificates.
3. Two letters of recommendation: At least one letter should be written by a foreign scientist and at least one letter should be closely related to the application.
4. Copies of the front pages of no more than five representative papers.
II. Renewal of the Fund
A. Application
Starting from 2015, the Renewal of the Fund is extended from half year to either one year or two years. Awardees of the Fund which ends on June 30, 2015 or December 31, 2015 may apply for Renewal of the Fund. The awardees should apply via the ISIS after August 3, 2015 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 submission online, applicants should print and sign a PDF version of the final application form and timely submit it to the host institutions along with the supplementary documents.
B. Award Information
Project Duration: One year or two years starting from January 1, 2016
Award Size: RMB 200,000 Yuan per project over one year or RMB 400,000 Yuan per project over two years
C. When to Send the Proposals
NSFC will receive the paper application forms and supplementary documents during September 2, 2015 – September 15, 2015 (due by 16:00 Beijing time) excluding weekends and official holidays.
D. Supplementary Documents
1. Copy of agreement signed by the applicant and the host institution. The agreement should include the following items:
1) Signed between the applicant and the host institution and include 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 full-time 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 to China during the period of the previous award: 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.
III. The Host Institution
The host institution should organize application work in light with 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 timely submit the application documents 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.
D. Where to send the paper application documents:
Proposal Receiving Group
Room 101, 83 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085
For applications sent by post, the date of posting (as shown on the post mark) should not be later than the deadline dates. NSFC encourages host institutions to use courier service when sending the application documents. Please do not use parcel post to avoid delays.
Agency Contacts
Bureau of International Cooperation
Ren Zhijun, Zhang Lin
Phone: +86-10-62327780, 86-10-62327001
Fax: +86-10-62327004
Email: fis@nsfc.gov.cn