Key facts
- China will increase funding for youth basic research projects by over 50% in 2026.
- The Youth Science Fund quota will expand by 12,000 projects in 2026.
- The initiative supports young scientists and aims to enhance China's self-reliance in science and technology.
- The NSFC is offering 15-year research grants to young scientists.
- The 2025 China Youth May Fourth Medal recognized 30 individuals and 30 groups, including many sci-tech professionals.
China is significantly increasing its investment in young scientists, with plans to boost funding for youth-focused basic research projects by over 50% in 2026. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) will expand the quota for its Youth Science Fund by an anticipated 12,000 projects, a move designed to strengthen support for emerging talent and enhance the nation's scientific self-reliance.
This initiative aligns with the objectives of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which emphasizes improving the country's capabilities in science and technology and increasing long-term, stable support for outstanding research teams and young scientists engaged in fundamental research. The NSFC is also exploring long-cycle funding models.
Dou Xiankang, director of the NSFC, indicated that the agency is identifying exceptionally brilliant researchers under the age of 35 for long-term financial backing, offering grants for up to 15 years to foster free exploration. This program aims to cultivate a steady pipeline of talent for basic research and encourage innovative thinking.
Recent awards, such as the 2025 China Youth May Fourth Medal, highlight the growing recognition of young scientific talent, with recipients including astronaut Gui Haichao, robotics innovator Wang Xingxing, and physicist Du Lingjie, whose team published groundbreaking findings on graviton-like particles in Nature. Du's research was supported by a special funding channel from the Jiangsu provincial natural science foundation, which addresses critical funding gaps for early-career scientists and supports non-consensus research with full autonomy in experimental design and budget execution.
Beyond basic research, China is also focusing on commercializing applied research. In Jiangsu province, biomedical innovation centers have been established to aid medical researchers in translating discoveries into clinical applications, offering services like equipment leasing and intellectual property protection. An insurance program in Suzhou, Jiangsu, has been launched to cover risks associated with technology transfers and patent disputes, empowering young scientists to concentrate on their research while entrusting commercialization to market forces.