Guoke Jinfaji [2025] No. 2

　　The National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as NSFC) adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implements the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the 2nd and 3rd Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, deeply understands General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse and instructions on basic research, adheres to demand orientation and free exploration, adheres to the strategic orientation of "four orientations", firmly grasps the new positioning of NSFC, strengthens the forward-looking, strategic, and systematic layout of basic research, and promotes the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. According to the overall deployment of deepening reform of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as NSFC), focusing on the three major tasks of basic research, applied basic research, and talent cultivation, we will conscientiously implement the revised "Regulations on National Natural Science Foundation of China", solidly promote the implementation and effectiveness of various reform tasks, and carry out the special rectification of the stubborn problem of experts being "greeted", making greater contributions to the high-quality development of basic research and high-level scientific and technological self-reliance in China.

　　According to the arrangement of scientific fund funding management, the relevant matters regarding the application for scientific fund projects in 2025 and the completion of projects at the end of the funding period in 2024 are hereby announced as follows.

　　1、 Project application

　　（1） Project application acceptance.

　　The types of projects that will be accepted for centralized application in 2025 include: general projects, key projects, key international (regional) cooperative research projects, youth science fund projects, regional science fund projects, excellent youth science fund projects, national outstanding youth science fund projects (including continued funding projects, the same below), innovative research group projects, excellent research group projects (formerly basic science center projects), foreign scholar research fund projects, cooperative innovative research team projects, mathematical Tianyuan fund projects, national major scientific research instrument development projects (free application), some joint fund projects, and some major research plan projects. The centralized reception work will start on March 1, 2025 and end at 16:00 on March 20.

　　For projects other than the above-mentioned types, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will issue separate guidelines. For international (regional) cooperation and exchange projects that accept applications at any time, applicants should try to avoid submitting applications during the centralized acceptance period.

　　（2） Applicant and main participants' matters.

　　1. Applicants should carefully read the "Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of China" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), the "Guidelines for National Natural Science Foundation Projects in 2025" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines"), relevant project management measures, the "Management Measures for National Natural Science Foundation Funded Projects" (Caijiao [2021] No. 177, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund Management Measures") and relevant regulations, and log in to the Science Foundation Network Information System (hereinafter referred to as the "Information System") after January 15, 2025, and write the application form according to the outline and relevant requirements of the "National Natural Science Foundation Application Form" (hereinafter referred to as the "Application Form") for each type of project. Applicants who do not have an information system account should apply for account opening with the fund management contact person of the supporting unit.

　　2. The fund management methods for science fund projects are divided into a lump sum system and a budget system. In 2025, the Youth Science Fund Project, Excellent Youth Science Fund Project, National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project, and pilot established basic research projects for young students will implement a lump sum funding system, and applicants do not need to prepare budgets when applying for projects. For other types of projects, a budget system shall be implemented. Applicants shall, in accordance with the "Fund Management Measures" and relevant regulations, carefully and truthfully prepare the project budget based on the basic principles of "target relevance, policy consistency, and economic rationality", combined with the actual needs of project research. Strictly carry out budget review for national major scientific research instrument development projects, major projects, and outstanding research groups (formerly the Basic Science Center) continuation funding projects. If there is a cooperative research unit in the project application, the applicant and the participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare project budgets separately according to their respective research tasks, and after being reviewed by their respective units, the applicant shall summarize and prepare them.

　　3. The applicant should choose one type of research attribute from "free exploration basic research" and "goal oriented basic research" based on the research content of the application. Among them, "free exploration based basic research" refers to original and cutting-edge basic research that is selected based on the curiosity or innovative academic inspiration of researchers, and is not aimed at meeting current application needs; Goal oriented basic research refers to fundamental research driven by the needs of economic and social development or national demands.

　　For pilot classification review of general projects, youth science fund projects, and key projects, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will organize experts to conduct classification review based on the research attributes selected by the applicants.

　　4. The applicant should invite the main participants to fill out their personal resumes online through the information system and upload the PDF format personal resume files automatically generated by the system for the main participants. For the representative papers listed in the personal resume, the applicant and the main participants should truthfully and standardly list all author names based on their actual publishing situation when filling in, and annotate their own authorship. At the same time, upload the full text PDF electronic version of the publicly published representative paper. Representative monographs should upload scanned copies of the work cover, abstract, table of contents, copyright page, and other PDF formats.

　　5. The applicant applies for general projects, youth science fund projects, regional science fund projects, key projects, key international (regional) cooperative research projects, cooperative innovation research team projects, excellent youth science fund projects, national outstanding youth science fund projects, innovative research group projects, excellent research group projects (formerly basic science center projects), joint fund projects, national major scientific research instrument development projects, and major projects. The research period is automatically generated by the information system combined with the project type and cannot be changed by the applicant.

　　Before submitting the project application, the applicant should obtain the consent of the main participants and collaborating research units regarding all the contents of the application materials.

　　If the project application submitted by the applicant involves sensitive areas of technological ethics, it should undergo ethical review.

　　8. The applicant shall ensure that the provided email address is unobstructed and valid, so that they can receive timely notifications of project approval or non funding, as well as relevant information on expert review opinions after the project review work is completed. Otherwise, the legal consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the applicant.

　　（3） Relying on unit matters.

　　Relying units should conscientiously fulfill their main responsibilities, organize application work in accordance with the requirements of the "Regulations", "Management Measures for Fund Work of National Natural Science Foundation of China Relying Units", "Several Opinions of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on Further Strengthening the Management of Science Funds of Relying Units", relevant project management measures, "Fund Management Measures" and relevant regulations, review the authenticity, completeness and legality of the application materials submitted by the applicant of this unit, and submit the application materials to the National Natural Science Foundation of China within the prescribed time. The specific requirements are as follows:

　　1. The supporting unit should ensure that the unit, cooperative research unit, applicant, and major participants are not within the time limit for applying, undertaking, or participating in technology activities supported by financial funds.

　　2. Relying units should pay attention to the quality of project applications and avoid blindly pursuing the quantity of project applications through methods such as "mass mobilization", setting hard targets, and implementing reward and punishment measures linked to whether or not to apply for projects.

　　3. The supporting unit should download the "2025 National Natural Science Foundation Supporting Unit Project Application Commitment Letter" from the information system in advance, have it personally signed by the legal representative and stamped with the official seal of the supporting unit, and upload the electronic scanned copy to the information system (only one upload is required for this year). The project can only be applied for after the supporting unit completes the above commitment procedures.

　　4. The supporting unit should confirm and submit the electronic application form and attachment materials of the unit item by item through the information system before the project application deadline.

　　For project applications submitted during the centralized acceptance period, the supporting unit must submit its own project application list online within 24 hours after the deadline. Please rely on the unit to determine the deadline for collecting project application forms based on the actual situation.

　　For project applications submitted during the non centralized receiving period, the confirmation of submitting the electronic application form by the relying unit is considered as a formal submission of the application, and there is no need to submit a project application list.

　　5. The supporting unit should establish a sound technology ethics review mechanism to prevent ethical risks. Establish and improve a scientific and technological ethics management system in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards; Strengthen ethical review mechanisms and process supervision; Strengthen publicity, education, and training to enhance the sense of responsibility and legal awareness of scientific researchers in areas such as technological ethics.

　　6. As the primary responsible entity for scientific research integrity construction, the supporting unit should establish and improve relevant organizational structures and work systems for scientific research integrity construction and misconduct handling, and continuously promote policies and regulations related to scientific research integrity construction; Adhere to the scientific research integrity commitment of the supporting unit; Proactively conducting investigations into clues of scientific misconduct among personnel in our unit; Carefully verify the work tasks assigned by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, organize relevant investigations, and make relevant decisions; Timely report to the National Natural Science Foundation of China on any research misconduct related to scientific fund projects and its investigation and punishment; Seriously implement the handling decisions made by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Effectively fulfill the main responsibility of scientific research integrity construction.

　　（4） Application materials submission method.

　　1. National Natural Science Foundation projects will fully implement paperless application. All types of project application forms shall be written online. Applicants should submit an electronic application form online and upload all relevant proof letters, recommendation letters, and other materials that require special instructions in electronic scanned copies. The supporting unit only needs to confirm the electronic application form and attachment materials online, without submitting paper application materials.

　　After the project is approved, the supporting unit needs to submit a paper signed and stamped application form, which should be bound at the end of the "Funding Project Plan" and submitted together. The signed and stamped information should be consistent with the final electronic version of the application submitted in the information system. For those who fail to provide signature and seal materials in accordance with the above requirements, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will handle them in accordance with relevant regulations.

　　（5） The preliminary review results are announced.

　　The National Natural Science Foundation of China will announce the preliminary review results of the application project before April 29, 2025, and accept the review application.

　　2、 Project Conclusion

　　（1） The project leader is responsible for personnel matters.

　　The project leader should carefully read the "Management Measures for Research Results of National Natural Science Foundation funded Projects", relevant project management measures, "Fund Management Measures" and relevant regulations, write the "Conclusion/Achievement Report of National Natural Science Foundation funded Projects" (hereinafter referred to as the "Conclusion/Achievement Report"), and ensure that the filled content is true and the data is accurate, while paying attention to intellectual property protection.

　　1. The project leader logs into the information system, writes the completion/achievement report, and electronically submits the attached materials together online; After being reviewed and approved by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the project leader downloads and prints the final PDF format of the completion/achievement report, and submits the signed original paper completion/achievement report (excluding attachment materials) to the supporting unit. The project leader should ensure that the content of the paper completion/achievement report is consistent with the electronic version after approval.

　　2. The project leader shall, in accordance with the "Fund Management Measures" and relevant regulations, as well as the specific requirements of the "Instructions for the Preparation of the National Natural Science Foundation Project Final Account Table", work with scientific research, finance and other departments to timely clean up accounts and assets, truthfully prepare the "National Natural Science Foundation Project Final Account Table", ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the final account data, and ensure the legality and effectiveness of fund expenditures. If multiple units jointly undertake a project, the project leader and participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare project final accounts separately. After being reviewed by their respective units, the project leader shall compile and compile them.

　　When the project leader writes the final/outcome report, they shall not include papers that have not been formally published/published online, or have not been marked with the National Natural Science Foundation funding and project approval number in the final/outcome report; Research results obtained by non project leaders or non key participants shall not be included in the final/outcome report; Research results unrelated to the funded project shall not be included in the final/outcome report; It is not allowed to directly copy the content of the paper as the conclusion/achievement report content; Results that are earlier than the start time of project funding shall not be included in the final/outcome report.

　　4. The project leader or main participants should include the science popularization achievements in the final report/results report in accordance with the requirements of the "Opinions of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on Strengthening Science Popularization in the New Era"; At the same time, relevant papers should be uploaded and stored on the National Natural Science Foundation Open Access Storage Platform (OAR platform) in accordance with the requirements of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on open access for funded project papers.

　　5. The project leader shall comply with relevant regulations and be rigorous and cautious in the release, dissemination, and application of research results related to science and technology ethics in scientific fund projects.

　　6. After the completion of the project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will, in accordance with relevant regulations, provide the National Natural Science Foundation of China's big data knowledge management service platform（ https://kd.nsfc.cn ）And the National Science and Technology Report Service System（ https://www.nstrs.cn ）Publish the full text of the conclusion/achievement report.

　　（2） Relying on unit matters.

　　Relying units should attach great importance to the management of scientific fund project completion, conscientiously fulfill the main responsibility of project management, supervise and guide project leaders to carefully write completion/achievement reports, and strictly review completion materials in accordance with relevant management regulations.

　　1. The supporting unit needs to submit the electronic version of the conclusion materials through the information system first, and then submit the paper version of the conclusion materials after being reviewed and approved by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Projects that fail to submit the completion materials on time will be treated as exceeding the expected completion date and included in the corresponding limit application scope. At the same time, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will handle the project leader and supporting units in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations.

　　2. The supporting unit shall review and confirm the completion materials item by item through the information system before 16:00 on February 24, 2025. Before March 10, the original paper completion/achievement report (one copy) signed and stamped by the unit, as well as the unit's official letter and completion project list and other paper completion materials shall be submitted to the Natural Science Foundation of China by mail. Incomplete materials will not be accepted.

　　3、 Project progress report, annual management report, and contract management regulations

　　（1） Project progress report.

　　The project leader logs into the information system and writes the "Progress Report on National Natural Science Foundation funded Projects" online (hereinafter referred to as the "Project Progress Report"); The supporting unit shall review the project progress report through the information system in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations and relevant management measures, and confirm each item before January 15, 2025, without the need to submit paper materials. Those who fail to submit project progress reports as required shall be dealt with in accordance with relevant regulations.

　　（2） Annual management report.

　　The supporting unit shall write the Annual Management Report of National Natural Science Foundation funded projects (hereinafter referred to as the Annual Management Report) online through the information system, and submit electronic materials between April 1 and April 15, 2025 at 16:00 without submitting paper materials. Supporting units that fail to submit annual management reports within the prescribed time will not be allowed to apply for scientific fund projects for the next year.

　　（3） Record the management regulations for the lump sum system.

　　According to the relevant provisions of the "Fund Management Measures", the supporting units for the use of project funds under the lump sum system shall formulate management regulations for the lump sum system of project funds. For newly approved contract based projects in 2024 that have not yet completed the filing process, the supporting units should submit the contract based management regulations formulated by their own units to the Natural Science Foundation of China for filing before 4:00 pm on June 30, 2025; For those that have already been filed but need to be revised, the revision work should also be completed and re filed before the above-mentioned deadline. For specific filing procedures, please refer to the Notice on Filing the Management Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation Project Funds Contracting System (Guoke Jinchai Han [2021] No. 27).

　　4、 Material reception

　　（1） The material receiving group is responsible for uniformly receiving materials delivered or mailed by relying units, and does not accept materials directly submitted by individuals or non relying units.

　　（2） The office location of the material receiving group is located in Room 101 of the Administrative Building of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

　　5、 Other precautions

　　（1） The application form, project progress report, and final/achievement report shall not contain any content that falls within the scope of national science and technology secrets as listed in the national "Regulations on Science and Technology Confidentiality"; No confidential or sensitive information that violates scientific and technological confidentiality and security regulations shall appear.

　　（2） When filling out research results such as papers, truthfully and standardly list all author names based on the true situation at the time of publication, and do not tamper with the author order or falsely label the first author or corresponding author.

　　（3） The research results (including patents) published by the project leader and participants should truthfully indicate that they have received funding and project approval numbers from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. If the Science Foundation serves as the main funding channel or plays a major role in funding, it should be labeled as the first priority.

　　（4） The "Guidelines" are scheduled to be published on the website of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in mid January 2025.

　　（5） Paper materials such as conclusion/achievement reports are recommended to be printed on both sides and bound.

　　6、 Consultation and contact information

　　（1） Consultation hotline for various matters.

　　（2） Consultation phone numbers for each department.

　　

　　（3） Related website addresses.

　　Official website of the National Natural Science Foundation of China: https://www.nsfc.gov.cn

　　Science Foundation Network Information System Website: https://grants.nsfc.gov.cn

　　National Natural Science Foundation of China Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform: https://kd.nsfc.cn

　　National Natural Science Foundation of China Open Access Storage Platform: https://kd.nsfc.cn/oar

　　（4） Contact information for the material receiving group.

　　Mailing address: No. 83 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, Natural Science Foundation of China Project Material Receiving Working Group

　　Postal Code: 100085 Contact Number: 010-62328591