The NSFC has initiated program application for Research Fund for International Scientists 2022. 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, health sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.

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, 2023 and close on December 31, 2023 or on December 31, 2024.

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/pmpweb/login  ).

✱ For applicants who have no application account, please send your name, academic title, email address to nikkichen@cuhk.edu.cn by Feb. 6, 2022 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 the following supplementary documents as attachments of the application form：

I. An e-copy of the agreement signed by the applicant and University. 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;

※Please contact the research administrator of each school/ institution for assistance if the current contract term does not cover the project implementation period. 

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

II. No more than five representative papers.

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 Feb. 26, 2022 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 submit application forms online by Mar. 3, 2022, the colleges/research institutions will organize the preliminary review and feedback;

(2)  Applicants shall submit the revised application forms online by 18:00 on Mar. 8, 2022, the Research Administration Office will re-examine and feedback;

(3) Applicants shall submit application forms( final version)  online by 18:00 on Mar. 14, 2022, without submitting any hard copies.

Contact information

Annex1-Guide

Annex 2-Review process and relevant forms