The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Social Science Foundation of China (NSSFC) represent the highest-level scientific funding mechanisms in China. These foundations operate nationwide, primarily supporting researchers affiliated with universities and research institutions possessing robust research capabilities and infrastructure. The two foundations complement each other with distinct emphases, collectively serving as the primary funding channels for basic research in China's scientific domain.
Established in 1986 with State Council approval, the NSFC consistently prioritizes support for basic research. It focuses on foundational disciplines, frontier exploration, and talent cultivation, while emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation teams. The NSFC has progressively developed a funding framework comprising four major series: Exploration, Talent, Tool, and Integration. The Exploration Series primarily includes the General Program, Key Program, and Emergency Management Project. The Talent Series encompasses programs such as the Young Scientists Fund, Regional Science Fund, Excellent Young Scientists Fund, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Innovative Research Group, Overseas and Hong Kong/Macao Scholars Collaborative Research Fund, and Foreign Young Scholars Research Fund. The Tool Series comprises major initiatives like the National Major Research Instruments Development Project and fundamental data/shared resource platform construction. The Integration Series features programs including the Major Program, Major Research Plan, Joint Fund Program, International Cooperation Program, and Science Center Program.
The NSFC project database contains extensive untapped information resources. Analysis of funded project themes reveals current academic hotspots, critical research questions, and even technological and societal development trajectories. Quantitative outputs and award records provide insights into China's scientific evaluation systems and research progress. Furthermore, researcher characteristics facilitate exploration of talent development, team composition, and geographical distribution patterns.
The National Natural Science Foundation Project Database curated by CnOpenData comprehensively covers all NSFC projects through 2021. Beyond project metadata, it includes detailed principal investigator profiles, institutional affiliations, research outputs, and multidimensional information, offering rich and comprehensive data resources for related studies.
Database Application Guide
Temporal Coverage
NSFC Project Application Data: 1987.01-2021.12
NSFC Concluded Project Details: 1987.01-2024.12.31
NSFC Concluded Project Output Information: 1987.01-2024.12.31
NSFC Concluded Project Participant Information: 1987.01-2024.12.31
Field Specifications
Sample Data
NSFC Project Application Form
NSFC Concluded Project Details
NSFC Concluded Project Output Information
NSFC Concluded Project Participant Information
Relevant Literature
- Lin Yuxin & Liu Yi, 2023: "Examining Adverse Incentives in Basic Research Funding," Quantitative & Technical Economics Research 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 Science During the 13th Five-Year Plan Period," Journal of Management Sciences 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 12.
Data Update Frequency
Annual Updates