In 2023, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as NSFC) launched the campaign of for studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, comprehensively implemented the spirits of the 20^th CPC National Congress and its second plenary session, and thoroughly put President Xi’s important speech at the 3^rd group study session of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee into practice. In accordance with decisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and the work plan of the Science and Technology Commission of the CPC Central Committee, NSFC grasped the strategic plan of promoting the integration of education, science & technology, and talents, adhered to the “four aspects”, took a dual-track approach to support both goal-oriented and free exploration basic research, conscientiously implemented the institutional reform, put original innovation and talent cultivation in a prominent position, and completed the funding management of 2023.

NSFC emphasized the forward-looking, strategic and systematic plan for basic research, so as to lay a solid foundation for self-reliance in science and technology. In 2023, we continued to formulate and implement annual funding plan scientifically, received 318,000 proposals from 2404 host institutions, and approved 52,500 awards with a funding amount of 31.879 billion yuan. We encouraged free exploration and emphasized original innovation, by approving 20,321 awards for General Program and 156 awards for Original Exploratory Program. Focusing on the strategic research on “four aspects”, we launched 3 Major Research Plans including “Scientific Basis of cutting-edge technology of integrated chips”, approved 751 awards for Key Program, 67 awards for Special Fund for Research on National Major Research Instruments, and planned for 53 projects for Major Program. We continued to expand the scope of Joint Funds. Jiangsu and Jiangxi Provinces, and Ningbo City joined the Joint Fund for Regional Innovation and Development, making it a total of 29 provinces (autonomous regions and cities) and 12 state-owned enterprises joining the Joint Fund for Regional/Corporate Innovation and Development. Ten Joint Funds have also been established with 9 industry sectors. A total of 1,160 awards for Programs of Joint Funds were granted. In 2023, the amount of fund attracted from outside NSFC was the equivalent of 8.66% of state financial input into NSFC. We also achieved a breakthrough in accepting donation from the society by receiving 100 million yuan from Xiaomi Foundation.

NSFC focused on the cultivation of young talents in order to build an elite cadre of scientists for basic research. We gave young researchers stronger support by approving 22,879 awards for Young Scientists Fund with a year-on-year increase of 617 awards and continuing the funding for Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas). We supported middle-aged and young scientists to undertake major types of programs, and invited excellent young scientists to participate in the peer review process. We funded 129 undergraduate students as a pilot funding program. As a result of optimizing funding policy, postdoctoral researchers were no longer restricted from changing their host institutions when they undertook projects of General Program, Young Scientists Fund or Fund for Less Developed Regions. The Scheme for post-evaluation and continued funding of grantees of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars was formulated, so as to build a long-term and stable funding mechanism for outstanding talents. We also optimized the operating mechanism for Basic Research Center Program to ensure the S&T resources would be allocated to the most innovative.

NSFC thoroughly implemented the institutional reform based on the decision of the CPC Central Committee. We orderly carried out the transfer of institutions and staff, by establishing a leading group headed by the President of NSFC, formulating working plan, and organizing visits and research, to ensure smooth transfer in the aspects of administrative operation, integration of funding, financial management and network system. We advanced the innovation of funding pattern and mechanism for applied basic research, and strengthened the advisory system by revising NSFC Advisory Committee Regulations and the Working Method of NSFC Science Departments Advisory Committees. We also enhanced the capabilities to refine use-inspired scientific problems by strengthening collaborations with Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasizing the role of “Shuangqing Forum” in strategic research, and building platforms for interdisciplinary and trandisciplinary discussions. According to the concepts of “one goal, four platforms”, the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21 managed the National Key R&D Program and funded 630 projects. High-tech R&D Center expedited the progress of building one platform with two focuses, managed S&T Innovation 2030—Major Program and funded 746 projects.

NSFC deepened the reform of science funding system to elevate funding performance. NSFC carried out the 14^th Five-Year Plan, with three major tasks well underway. Category-specific review was adopted for over 260,000 proposals, accounting for 85% of the total proposals. The pilot of “RCC” evaluation mechanism was expanded to 94% of the disciplines. The application codes were further adjusted and evaluated. We expedited the revision of NSFC Regulations to achieve the rule of law in science funding management. A joint limit was imposed on researchers leading or participating in NSFC major types of program and other national major S&T programs. Funding performance evaluation was continued in order to identify the weak link in program management and find solutions. We strengthened the capacity building of science popularization, formulated and published the Opinions of the NSFC on Strengthening Science Popularization in the New Era. We also built and improved the platforms for open access and results translation, to promote data sharing of NSFC-funded research, and carried out matchmaking activities with Beijing and Chongqing municipalities to promote the transformation of funding results.

NSFC deepened international cooperation in scientific research and promoted the establishment of international cooperation platforms for basic research. We established the Department of International Programs, and formulated “the proposed plan for Global Science Fund operation". We promoted the pilot program of the Global Science Fund, and funded 277 projects for Research Fund for International Scientists. And we also jointly funded 654 projects for International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Programs with partner agencies in countries including the United States and Germany, as well as Hong Kong and Macau, including 40 scientific projects for Sustainable Development International Cooperation Program.

NSFC implemented the special rectification of “string-pulling” in the process of peer review to improve the ecosystem of scientific research. Following the principle of "positive guidance, strict laws and disciplines, extreme defense, and serious punishment", we contained “string-pulling” by optimizing the process of peer review, increasing the proportion of peers from a wider academic background, strengthening confidentiality and issuing list of prohibited acts. NSFC established a scientific research integrity system that integrates “education, motivation, regulation, supervision, and discipline”, revised the Constitution of NSFC Supervisory Committee and NSFC Measures for Investigation and Punishment of Research Misconducts, and issued the Handbook for Scientific Integrity Practices. We seriously investigated and punished scientific research misconducts, 311 people and 6 host institutions involved in 199 cases were disciplined, of which 27 people and 1 host institution were involved in the "string-pulling".

NSFC thoroughly implemented the spirits of the 20^th National Congress of CPC, and used it as guidance to the daily operation of NSFC. We systematically carried out the work of rigorous self-governance, upholding integrity and anti-corruption. NSFC consciously accepted the supervision by the representative office of the CPC Commission of Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission to the Ministry of Science and Technology, and seriously implemented the supervisory recommendations. We also developed a regular auditing mechanism together with National Audit Office to ensure prompt rectification.

In 2024, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, NSFC will grasp and implement the spirits of the 20^th CPC National Congress and its second plenary session, the Central Economic Working Conference, as well as President Xi’s important speeches and remarks on S&T innovation especially on basic research, adhere to the “four aspects” and the dual-track approach for supporting basic research based on the decisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, firmly grasp the strategic positioning of science funds, earnestly implement the task of institutional reform, deeply grasp the laws and trends of basic research development, and focus on "quality improvement”, so as to optimize the science fund funding management system, strengthen the role of National Natural Science Fund as the main channel for funding basic research, and consolidate the foundation of scientific and technological self-reliance.