国家自然科学基金外国学者研究基金项目旨在支持自愿来华开展研究工作的外籍优秀科研人员，在国家自然科学基金资助范围内自主选题，在中国内地开展基础研究工作，促进外国学者与中国学者之间开展长期、稳定的学术合作与交流。
一、项目说明
（一）项目类型
国家自然科学基金外国学者研究基金项目包括以下3个层次：
1. 外国青年学者研究基金项目
2. 外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目
3. 外国资深学者研究基金项目
（二）资助领域
数理科学（A）、化学科学（B）、生命科学（C）、地球科学（D）、工程与材料科学（E）、信息科学（F）、管理科学（G）、医学科学（H）、交叉科学（T）。
1. 选择申请代码时，尽量选择到二级申请代码（4位数字）；
2. 填写申请书时，请准确填写“关键词”；
3.交叉科学领域的申请人，请首先选择交叉科学部受理代码T01-T04，然后根据研究内容从A-H中选择不少于2个科学部的申请代码填写申请书。申请代码详见《2023年度国家自然科学基金项目指南》。
（三）资助强度
资助资金为直接费用。
1. 外国青年学者研究基金项目，20万元/年/项。
2. 外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目，40万元/年/项。
3. 外国资深学者研究基金项目，80万元/年/项。
（四）资助期限
1年期项目起止时间为2024年1月1日—2024年12月31日；
2年期项目起止时间为2024年1月1日—2025年12月31日。
二、申请人条件
1. 外国青年学者研究基金项目
（1）取得博士学位6年以内（2017年1月1日后取得）；
（2）具有从事基础研究或者博士后研究工作经历；
（3）保证资助期内每年（自然年）在依托单位从事研究工作的时间在9个月以上；
（4）确保在中国工作期间遵守中国法律法规及自然科学基金的各项管理规定。
2. 外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目
（1）取得博士学位15年以内（2008年1月1日后取得）；
（2）具有高级专业技术职称（职务）；
（3）具有作为项目负责人承担基础研究课题的经历；
（4）保证资助期内每年（自然年）在依托单位从事研究工作的时间在9个月以上；
（5）确保在中国工作期间遵守中国法律法规及自然科学基金的各项管理规定。
3. 外国资深学者研究基金项目
（1）具有高级专业技术职称（职务）；
（2）应当具有较高的学术造诣和国际影响力；
（3）保证资助期内每年（自然年）在依托单位从事研究工作的时间在9个月以上；
（4）确保在中国工作期间遵守中国法律法规及自然科学基金的各项管理规定。
三、限项申请规定
申请人申请时须遵循以下限项规定：
（一）外国青年学者研究基金项目、外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金团队试点项目：同层次项目仅能获得1次资助。
（二）外国青年学者研究基金项目、外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金团队试点项目申请人，同年申请或者正在承担合计限1项，申请当年不得作为申请人申请青年科学基金项目、优秀青年科学基金项目[包括优秀青年科学基金项目（港澳）]、国家杰出青年科学基金项目、创新研究群体项目。
（三）以下人员不得申请外国青年学者研究基金项目：作为负责人获得过外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金团队试点项目、青年科学基金项目、优秀青年科学基金项目[包括优秀青年科学基金项目（港澳）]、国家杰出青年科学基金项目、创新研究群体项目资助的。
（四）以下人员不得申请外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目：作为负责人获得过外国资深学者研究基金项目、外国资深学者研究基金团队试点项目、优秀青年科学基金项目[包括优秀青年科学基金项目（港澳）]、国家杰出青年科学基金项目、创新研究群体项目资助的。
（五）以下人员不得申请外国资深学者研究基金项目：作为负责人获得过外国资深学者研究基金团队试点项目、国家杰出青年科学基金项目、创新研究群体项目资助的。
（六）《2023年度国家自然科学基金项目指南》中关于申请数量的其他限制。
四、申报说明
1.申请人在填报申请书前，应当认真阅读本项目指南和《2023年度国家自然科学基金项目指南》中的相关内容，不符合项目指南和相关要求的项目申请不予受理。
2. 申请语言：英文或中文。
3. 申请人应当认真阅读《2023年度国家自然科学基金项目指南》申请须知中预算编报要求的内容，严格按照《国家自然科学基金资助项目资金管理办法（财教〔2021〕177号）》以及《国家自然科学基金项目资金预算表编制说明》的要求，认真如实编报《国家自然科学基金项目资金预算表》。
4. 申报要求：申请人完成申请书撰写后，通过科学基金网络信息系统（http://grants.nsfc.gov.cn/egrantweb/）在线提交电子申请书及附件材料，无需报送纸质申请书。项目获批准后，需将申请书的纸质签字盖章页装订在《资助项目计划书》最后，一并提交。签字盖章的信息应与电子申请书保持一致。
附件材料：
（1）申请人与依托单位签订的项目申报协议书。该协议书须使用协议书模版（附件1. Agreement-国家自然科学基金外国学者研究基金项目申报协议），申请人本人签字后由依托单位法定代表人签名（章）并加盖依托单位公章（注意：科研管理部门章、二级学院章等无效）。申请书封皮显示的Nationality须与申报协议中申请人的国籍保持一致。
（2）申请人与依托单位签订的聘用合同。当前尚未签订聘用合同的，须在获资助后随计划书一并提交。
（3）涉及科研伦理及科技安全（如生物安全、信息安全等）的项目申请，申请人应严格执行国家有关法律法规和伦理准则，并按要求上传相应材料的电子扫描件。具体要求参见《2023年度国家自然科学基金项目指南》“申请规定”及“科学部资助领域和注意事项”。
5. 填报路径：登录科学基金网络信息系统后，选择“RFIS Application”，选择“外国学者（RFIS）”角色，在菜单栏点击“Application and Acceptance”-“RFIS Application”进入申请界面；点击“New Proposal”，选择“外国青年学者研究基金项目”或“外国优秀青年学者研究基金项目”或“外国资深学者研究基金项目”，选择普通类或交叉类，点击进入填写，首先选择申请项目所属科学部：“Application for Scientific Departments (A-H)”或“Application for Department of Interdisciplinary Sciences（T）”，然后进入申请书填写界面。
（二）依托单位注意事项
依托单位应对本单位申请人所提交申请材料的真实性、完整性和合规性，编制项目预算的目标相关性、政策相符性和经济合理性进行审核。
依托单位需在提交本单位项目申请前完成《2023年度国家自然科学基金依托单位项目申请承诺书》上传工作，并在规定的项目申请截止日期前提交本单位电子版申请书及附件材料。请通过科学基金网络信息系统上传本单位项目申请清单，无需提供纸质版。
以上依托单位注意事项请参照《关于2023年度国家自然科学基金项目申请与结题等有关事项的通告》执行。
（三）项目申请接收
在线申报接收期为：2023年3月1日—2023年3月20日16时（北京时间）。
注：请申请人严格遵照本项目指南的各项要求填报申请，不符合上述要求的申请将不予受理。如有疑问，请致电项目联系人。
五、联系方式
联系人：张婷婷，沈薇，孙姝娜
电话：+86-10-62325793/ 62328949/ 62327001
传真：+86-10-62327004
Email：fis@nsfc.gov.cn
信息系统技术支持（信息中心）：+86-10-62317474
附件：Agreement-国家自然科学基金外国学者研究基金项目申报协议
国家自然科学基金委员会
国际合作局
2023年1月19日
Aiming at providing more research opportunities for and contributing to the career development of researchers at different academic stages, the Research Fund for International Scientists (hereinafter referred to as the RFIS) is set up by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to support international scientists with foreign citizenship who are ready to conduct basic research in China’s mainland. The RFIS is open to all research areas within the NSFC’s funding scope, which include mathematics and physics, chemistry, life sciences, earth sciences, engineering and materials sciences, information sciences, management sciences, health sciences, and interdisciplinary sciences. The RFIS will also enhance the long-term, sustainable academic collaboration and exchange between Chinese and international scientists.
I. Types of Grant
The RFIS consists of three sub-types:
1. The Research Fund for International Young Scientists (RFIS-I)
2. The Research Fund for International Excellent Young Scientists (RFIS-II)
3. The Research Fund for International Senior Scientists (RFIS-III)
II. Project Duration
Projects are expected to start on January 1, 2024 and close on December 31, 2024 or on December 31, 2025.
III. Average Award Amount
For the RFIS-I, applicants can apply for up to 200,000 RMB per year (per project) .
For the RFIS-II, applicants can apply for up to 400,000 RMB per year (per project) .
For the RFIS-III, applicants can apply for up to 800,000 RMB per year (per project) .
All the funding is direct cost.
IV. Eligibility
The RFIS is aimed at international scientists who are ready to work at Chinese host institutions. The host institution must be based in China’s mainland and have registered at NSFC.
Specific requirements for each sub-type of the RFIS are as follows:
1. RFIS-I
(1) Doctoral degree obtained within the past 6 years (PhD must have been obtained after January 1, 2017);
(2) Experience of conducting basic research or postdoctoral research;
(3) Commitment of working for no less than 9 months each year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(4) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
2. RFIS-II
(1) Doctoral degree completed within the past 15 year (PhD must have been obtained after January 1, 2008);
(2) Senior academic title;
(3) Experience of conducting basic research projects as Principal Investigator (PI);
(4) Commitment of working for no less than 9 months each year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(5) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
3. RFIS-III
(1) Senior academic title;
(2) Outstanding academic achievements and significant international influence;
(3) Commitment of working for no less than 9 months per year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(4) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
V. Additional Requirements for Eligibility
1. The applicant who has (had) a RFIS project will not be granted in the same sub-type of RFIS. The applicant can only be granted for each sub type of the RFIS once.
2. An applicant shall only apply for one RFIS in a year.
3. The grantee of an on-going RFIS project shall not apply for a new RFIS project.
4. If the applicant has submitted an application for any of the sub-types of the RFIS, the application shall not apply for the following programs in the same year:
Ø Young Scientists Fund (YSF)
Ø Excellent Young Scientists Fund (EYSF, including EYSF for scholars in Hong Kong and Macao)
Ø National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (NSFDYS)
Ø Science Fund for Creative Research Groups (SFCRG)
Ø Pilot Group Program of the RFIS-III (PGP RFIS-III)
5. An applicant shall not apply for the RFIS-I if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the RFIS-II, the RFIS-III, the PGP RFIS-III, the YSF, the EYSF, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
6. An applicant shall not apply for the RFIS-II if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the RFIS-III, the PGP RFIS-III, the EYSF, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
7. An applicant shall not apply for the Research Fund for International Senior Scientists (RFIS-III) if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the PGP RFIS-III, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
8. Other restrictions on the eligibility of applicants in the National Natural Science Fund Guide to Programs 2023.
VI. Proposal Submission
There are two steps to submit proposal:
Step 1: submission by the applicants
Applicants should submit their proposals online via NSFC’s Internet-based Science Information System (http://grants.nsfc.gov.cn/egrantweb/). The call opens from March 1 to March 20, 2023 (closes at 16:00 Beijing time). Applicants should complete online application form in English or in Chinese following this guidance and outlines for the Fund in the application form, and submit the application form in PDF form online. No hard copies are required. (After approved, the signed and sealed page of the application form should be attached to one hard copy of the Research Plan Report and submit it to NSFC together.)
Application path:
(1) Log in to the NSFC’s Internet-based Science Information System (http://grants.nsfc.gov.cn/egrantweb/), select “RFIS Application”, use the role of “RFIS” and click “Application and Acceptance” – “RFIS Application” in the menu bar to enter the application interface;
(2) Click “New Proposal” to enter the page of Application(s) in Preparation. Then select the science department of the applied project: “Application for Scientific Departments (A-H)” or “Application for Department of Interdisciplinary Sciences (T)”to enter the application page.
Please note that:
1. The science departments include Department of Mathematics and Physics Sciences(A), Department of Chemistry Sciences(B), Department of Life Sciences(C), Department of Earth Sciences(D), Department of Engineering and Material Sciences(E), Department of Information Sciences(F), Department of Management Sciences(G), Department of Health Sciences(H), and Department of Interdisciplinary Sciences(T).
2. When selecting the application code, please select the secondary application code (4 digits); please refer to the “National Natural Science Fund Guide to Programs 2023” for the application code.
3. When filling in the application form, please accurately fill in the “research direction” and “key words”.
4. For applicants of interdisciplinary science, please first select the division codes T01-T04, and then select at least two application codes from A-H according to the research content when filling in the application form.
5. The PI shall, in accordance with The National Natural Science Fund Guide to Programs 2023, The Regulation on the Financial Management of NSFC-funded Projects (https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab475/info81899.htm) and Instruction for Budget Table, carefully prepare the budget table based on the actual needs.
Attachments required:
(1) An agreement signed by the applicant and the host institution. The agreement should use the template (Appendix I. Agreement to Support the RFIS Application) and be signed by the applicant, the legal representative of the host institution with the official seal of the institution. (The seals of the scientific research management department and the second-level college are invalid).The nationality of the applicant shown on the cover of the application form must be the same as that of the applicant in the agreement.
(2) An employment contract signed between the applicant and the host institution. Applicant who has not yet signed an employment contract can submit the contact together with the research plan after funded by NSFC.
(3) If the proposed research involves issues related to scientific research ethics and scientific and technological security (such as biosecurity, information security, etc.), the applicant shall strictly follow relevant national laws, regulations and codes of ethics, and provide corresponding materials as attachment in accordance with the requirements of relevant scientific departments (a scanned copy shall be attached to the electronic application). For specific requirements, please refer to the “Information on Application” and “Funding Scope and Instructions” in “National Natural Science Fund Guide to Programs 2023”.
Before completing the online application form, all applicants should check that they comply with the eligibility requirements and ensure all necessary information is presented in the application. These requirements are strictly adhered to and applications without any of the necessary information mentioned in this guide will be rejected.
Step 2: submission by the host institution
The host institution should ensure the application complies with the provisions of NSFC’s Regulations on Host Institutions Management. It should be responsible for the authenticity, completeness and compliance of the proposals and submit the application documents in time to NSFC:
1. All proposals and supplementary documents should be submitted to NSFC before the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
2. The host institution should verify each item of the electronic application package via NSFC’s Internet-based Science Information System.
3. The host institution should provide a list of all the applications when submitting the applications to the NSFC’s Internet-based Science Information System. Incomplete documents will not be accepted.
4. The host institutions are required to upload the annual Letter of Commitment for Research Integrity of Host Institution for National Natural Science Fund Projects 2023 before submitting the project application. (Please refer to the Notice on Application and Conclusion of National Natural Science Found Projects in 2023.)
Contacts
Ms. Zhang Tingting, Ms. Shen Wei, Ms. Sun Shuna
Email: fis@nsfc.gov.cn
Phone: +86-10-62325793/ 62328949/ 62327001
Fax: +86-10-62327004
Information System Technical Support (Information Center):
+86-10-62317474
Appendix. Agreement to Support the RFIS Application
Bureau of International Cooperation
National Natural Science Foundation of China
