China expands long-term funding for young scientists

China is introducing 15-year research grants for selected scientists under 35, offering long-term financial support with no short-term performance reviews, according to Dou Xiankang, director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dou said at an academic forum that the principal performance measure during the 15-year period would be whether researchers remained engaged in laboratory work. He said the initiative was intended to give highly talented scientists time to pursue ambitious research without immediate pressure to produce results.

Forty-four scientists were selected this year, including nine from overseas and more than 30 based in China. Dou said funding would increase after the first five years and rise again after the next five years. The initiative follows concerns that China’s academic system has concentrated resources among senior researchers, leaving younger academics to compete intensely for grants.

The NSFC has increasingly directed funding towards early-career scientists since Dou became its director in 2023. The agency previously announced support of up to 28 million yuan over 15 years for leading young researchers. It has also projected an increase of 12,000 grants under its Young Scientists Fund, an expansion of more than 50 per cent.

Dou said young researchers lead nearly 90 per cent of NSFC-funded projects, while 75 per cent of funding goes to scientists under 45. The foundation is also seeking overseas applicants through its Excellent Young Scientists Fund, which has offered grants of between 1 million and 3 million yuan since its launch in 2021.