The National Natural Science Foundation and the National Social Science Foundation represent China's most prestigious scientific funding programs. These nationwide initiatives primarily support researchers from universities and research institutions with strong research capabilities and infrastructure. While maintaining distinct focus areas, the two foundations complement each other to form the principal channel for supporting basic research in China's scientific domain.
Established in 1986 with State Council approval, the National Natural Science Foundation has consistently prioritized supporting basic research. Focusing on fundamental disciplines, cutting-edge fields, and talent cultivation, it emphasizes innovation teams and interdisciplinary collaboration. The foundation has developed a comprehensive funding framework comprising four major series: Exploration, Talent, Instrumentation, and Integration.
- The Exploration Series includes General Programs, Key Programs, and Emergency Management Projects.
- The Talent Series encompasses the Youth Science Fund, Regional Science Fund, Excellent Young Scientists Fund, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Innovative Research Groups, and programs for Overseas/Hong Kong/Macao Outstanding Scholars and Foreign Young Scholars.
- The Instrumentation Series features Major Research Equipment Development Projects and infrastructure/platform construction for scientific data sharing.
- The Integration Series consists of Major Programs, Major Research Plans, Joint Funds, International Cooperation Projects, and Science Center Projects.
The National Natural Science Foundation projects contain substantial untapped informational resources. Project themes reveal current academic hotspots, critical issues, and technological/social development trends. Quantitative outputs and award records reflect China's scientific evaluation systems and research progress. Investigator characteristics provide insights into research talent distribution and team development.
The National Natural Science Foundation Project Database developed by CnOpenData comprehensively covers all funded projects through 2021, including:
- Project details
- Principal investigator profiles
- Institutional information
- Research outputs
This database offers rich, multidimensional resources for related studies.
Database Usage Guide
Temporal Coverage
- Project Application Forms: 1987.01-2021.12
- Completed Project Details: 1987.01-2023.12.31
- Project Output Records: 1987.01-2023.12.31
- Project Participant Information: 1987.01-2023.12.31
Field Specifications
Sample Data
National Natural Science Foundation Project Application Form
Completed Project Details
Project Output Records
Project Participant Information
Related Literature
- Lin Yuxin & Liu Yi, 2023, "Examining Reverse Incentives in Basic Research Funding", Journal of Quantitative & Technical Economics 11.
- Ye Jingjing, Zhou Xiaoyao & Chen Shi, 2021, "Innovation Transformation of Basic Research Investment: Evidence from NSFC Funding", China Economic Quarterly 11.
- Ren Zhiguang & Wang Hui, 2021, "Funding Patterns and Trends in Economic Sciences during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period", Journal of Management Sciences in China 3.
- Hu, A.G.Z., 2020, "Public funding and the ascent of Chinese science: Evidence from the National Natural Science Foundation of China", Research Policy.
- Tang Xianming, Zhang Zongyi & Liu Yin, 2010, "Policy Effectiveness of NSFC Regional Science Fund", Journal of Management Sciences in China 12.
Update Frequency
Annual Update