I. Program Description

To expand and consolidate the academic network and cultivate long-term collaborations between Chinese and European researchers, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) launches the Call for Proposals of Invitational Visiting Fellowship for European Scholars (IVFES). This program aims to support Chinese researchers in inviting European counterparts to carry out academic collaboration and exchanges at universities and research institutions across China’s mainland.

II. Eligibility for Application

This grant requires a joint application from a China-based researcher and a Europe-based researcher, both of whom should meet the following requirements respectively:

1. The China-based applicant should:

(1) Hold an ongoing NSFC project with a funding period of no less than 3 years [excluding NSFC International (Regional) Exchange Projects];

(2) Provide sound supporting conditions for the European applicant to conduct collaborative activities in China.

2. The Europe-based applicant should:

(1) Hold European nationality;

(2) Be under the age of 45 (as of January 1, 2026);

(3) Hold a doctoral degree and a full-time position at a European university or research institution at the time of application, and have experience in basic research and applied basic research;

(4) Be not employed full-time by any institution in China at the time of application;

(5) Be of complementary research interests with the China-based applicant;

(6) Abide by Chinese laws and regulations as well as relevant NSFC management provisions during the exchange period in China.

3. Additional Requirements for Eligibility

(1) Each of the China-based applicant and the Europe-based applicant is eligible to submit no more than one application for the IVFES in 2026. The Principal Investigator (PI) of an on-going grant of IVFES is not eligible to submit a new IVFES proposal.

(2) NSFC’s general limit on the total number of projects applied for and undertaken does not apply to the IVFES.

(3) Other restrictions on the application eligibility specified in the NSFC Guide to Programs 2026.

III. Funding Specification

1. Funding Content

Fundable visiting and exchange activities include but are not limited to academic seminars and workshops, lectures, summer school courses at the host institution, and collaborative activities carried out on the basis of China’s large scientific infrastructures and platforms.

2. Project Duration

Projects are scheduled to start on January 1, 2027 and end on December 31, 2028 with a funding duration of two years.

3. Time Requirements for the Proposed Visiting and Exchanges in China

The cumulative period for the European applicant’s stay in China shall be no less than 30 days in each calendar year.

4. Funding Amount

The funding amount is no more than 300,000 RMB per project for direct costs.

5. Number Awards

Around 200 fellowships are expected to be awarded, subject to budget availability.

IV. Application Preparation and Submission Tips

1. Submission by the Applicants

(1) Filling out the Online Application Form

The China-based applicant shall log into the NSFC’s Internet-based Science Information System (https://grants.nsfc.gov.cn/) with the role “PI of NSFC Award”, then select “Application and Acceptance” - “Application” on the menu bar. Click on “New Proposal” to enter the page of Application(s) in Preparation, and click “Apply for a General Science Department Project” to select “Science Fund for Global Challenges and Sustainability” - “Invitational Visiting Fellowship for European Scholars (IVFES)”. Select the grant number of the ongoing NSFC project held by the China-based applicant as required, and proceed to the application page after qualification verification.

(2) Proposal Description

① The Visiting Proposal and the Curriculum Vitae of the Europe-based applicant should be prepared in English. The Project Title, Abstract, and Keywords should be written in both English and Chinese.

② Fill in the application form in accordance with the instructions on the template. The visiting and exchange plan to be implemented by the European applicant, including the names of visiting person, dates of visits, and proposed visiting and exchange activities, shall be described on a yearly basis. If the plan involves academic seminars and workshops, information on the arrangement and intended participants (or number of participants) shall be provided.

(3) Budget Preparation and Execution

① The applicant shall carefully read the budget preparation requirements specified in the NSFC Guide to Programs 2026 (https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/p1/2931/3971/3974/sqgd2.html), the Funds Management Measures for NSFC-Awarded Projects (https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/p1/2871/2874/2883/69571.html), and Instructions on Budget Preparation for NSFC Projects, and prepare the budget table truthfully based on the actual needs.

② Indirect costs do not apply to the IVFES. The fund covers round-trip international travel and inter-city transportation expenses, board and lodging expenses for the European applicant, and related direct expenses for implementing the visiting plan.

③ Please note that reimbursement and final accounts of project funds shall be jointly signed and approved by both the China-based and Europe-based applicants.

(4) Submitting the Online Application Form

Upon completing the online application form, the applicant shall submit it along with the required appendix documents through the NSFC Grants system. No hard copies are required at the time of application. Required appendix documents include:

① An official invitation letter endorsed by the host institution in China (see Appendix 1 for the template);

② Cooperation Agreement between Chinese and European applicants (see Appendix 2 for the template), including the content and objectives of the proposed academic visiting and exchange activities by the European applicant, plans of cooperation and exchange, and intellectual property provisions;

③ Electronic versions of representative publications (no more than 5 per applicant).

Please note that applications failing to submit the above appendix documents as required will be rejected by NSFC.

2. Submission by the Host Institution

The authenticity, completeness, and compliance of the application materials, as well as the objective relevance, policy compliance, and reasonableness of the proposed budgets should be reviewed by the applicant’s host institution.

The host institution is required to upload the Letter of Commitment for Research Integrity of the Host Institution for National Natural Science Fund Projects 2026 via the NSFC Grants system before submitting all the application materials, and confirm and submit all proposals and required appendix documents via the Grants system on a case-by-case basis before the specified deadline. No hard copies are required. After being awarded, the signed and sealed page of the application form should be attached to the Research Plan and mailed to NSFC together. Please ensure that the signed and sealed information is consistent with the electronic application form.

Please refer to the Notice on Application and Conclusion of National Natural Science Found Projects in 2026 for the above requirements for the host institutions.

3. Submission Deadline

The online submission window opens on August 3, 2026 and closes on September 15, 2026 at 16:00 Beijing time.

Note: Applicants are requested to prepare and submit the application materials in strict accordance with the requirements specified in this Call for Proposals. Applications failing to meet the above requirements will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please reach us via the following contacts.

V. Contacts:

1. Department of International Programs

Tel: +86-10-62329547, +86-10-62329034

Email: dipzhc@nsfc.gov.cn

2. Information System Technical Support (Information Center)

Tel: +86-10-62317474

Appendices:

1. Invitation Letter Template

2. Agreement Template

Department of International Programs

National Natural Science Foundation of China

2026-03-24