The NSFC has initiated program application for Research Fund for International Scientists 2021. Details of requirements are as follows:

1.  Types of grant

The Research Fund for International Scientists (hereinafter referred to as the RFIS) supports international scientists who are ready to come to China’s mainland and conduct basic research in areas within the funding scope of the NSFC. The aim of the RFIS is to contribute to the long-term, sustainable academic collaboration and exchanges between Chinese and international scientists. 

The RFIS consists of three sub-types:

a. The Research Fund for International Young Scientists (RFIS-I)

b. The Research Fund for International Excellent Young Scientists (RFIS-II)

c. The Research Fund for International Senior Scientists(RFIS-III)

2.     Funding fields

Including mathematics and physics sciences, chemistry sciences, life sciences, earth sciences, material sciences, engineering, information sciences, management sciences, and health sciences.

3. Funding amount

For the RFIS-I, applicants can request up to 200,000 RMB per year(per project) .

For the RFIS-II, applicants can request up to 400,000 RMB per year(per project) .

For the RFIS-III, applicants can request up to 800,000 RMB per year(per project) .

✱All the funding is direct cost.

4. Project duration

Projects are expected to start on January 1, 2022 and close on December 31, 2022 or on December 31, 2023.

5. Eligibility and Application limit

Please read the Annex 1-Guide carefully for more information.

6.    Procedure of application

Online application

Applicants shall fill out application forms online and upload supplementary documents via the application system ( https://isisn.nsfc.gov.cn/ ).

✱ For applicants who have no application account, please send your name, academic title, email address to nikkichen@cuhk.edu.cn by May 24, 2021 to open account.

Paperless submission

In the stage of submission, applicants shall only submit reviewed application forms online, without submitting any hard copies.

7. Additional requirements on application

a. Applicants should complete online application form and proposal in English or in Chinese;

b. Applicant should also submit an e-copy of the agreement signed by the applicant and University as a supplementary document of the application form. The agreement should include but not be limited to the following items:

(1) The subsistence cost provided by the University which covers the funding period;

(2) Specification of the working time of the applicant at the University during the funding period;

(3) The agreement should be signed and stamped by the University, and applicant’s signature is required.

c. For Application Code 1, applicant shall select the full code including the last digit (four digits);

d. Any required scientific research reviews, please refer to CUHK(SZ)’s research review process of each committee as attached (Annex 2) and send the required materials and forms to each committee’s email address by Jun. 16, 2021 for assessment. Certificates of ethical or S&T security review shall be upload to application system.

Email address for each committee:

Institutional Review Board                                      irb@cuhk.edu.cn

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee        iacuc@cuhk.edu.cn

Institutional Biosafety Committee                           ibc@cuhk.edu.cn

8. Deadline

(1)  Applicants shall login the application system ( https://isisn.nsfc.gov.cn/egrantweb/ )  on or after May 24, 2021 to fill in application forms and upload required supplementary documents;

(2)  Applicants shall submit application forms online by Jun. 22, 2021, the colleges/research institutions/ affiliated hospitals will organize the preliminary review and feedback;

(3)  Applicants shall submit the revised application forms online by 17:00 on Jun. 25, 2021, the Research Administration Office will re-examine and feedback;

(4) Applicants shall submit application forms( final version)  online by 17:00 on Jun. 28, 2021, without submitting any hard copies.

 ✱ Late applications will not be accepted.

Contact information

Gao Shang       kevingao@cuhk.edu.cn

Chen Ningxin  nikkichen@cuhk.edu.cn

Annex1-Guide

Annex 2-Review process and relevant forms