NSFC - National Natural Science Foundation of China

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) was established on February 14, 1986. Upon its establishment, NSFC was an institution directly under the jurisdiction of the State Council, tasked with the administration of the National Natural Science Fund from the Central Government. In 2018, it become managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology（MOST） but kept its due independence in operation.

Since its establishment, NSFC has comprehensively introduced and implemented a rigorous and objective merit-review system to fulfill its mission of supporting basic research, fostering talented researchers, developing international cooperation and promoting socioeconomic development.

The administrative system has been well developed and improved for the decision-making of the funding policy, the implementation of funding programs and the supervision of funding operation. The management system of project implementation and a complete set of regulations have been formulated.

It has gradually established its funding system focusing on the three categories of programs those include research promotion, talent fostering and infrastructure construction for basic research.

Along with the continuously increasing investment in basic research by the government, NSFC’s annual budget has increased from 80 million RMB in 1986 to 31.11 billion RMB in 2019. 44,504 new awards were granted to over 1500 host institutions in 2018, and most of these awards went to individuals or groups of investigators. Others provide funding for instruments and facilities that allow scientists to work at the outermost frontiers of knowledge.