On January 9, the National Natural Science Commission of China issued a releaseNotice on the Application and Completion of the 2024 National Natural Science ** Project and Other Related Matters。(See the end of the full notice for the original text).
The issuance of the notice also means that you will naturally have less time to prepare for the declaration of 2024! Xiao Qiao has sorted out some important time nodes and declaration precautions for you here, hoping to help you achieve your thoughts in the competition center in the new year.
01 These important milestones should be kept in mind
Xiao Qiao summarized some important time nodes in the announcement to help you save reading time.
Mid to early January
The 2024 Guidelines are planned to be published in mid to early January 2024 by the Natural Science Committee.
After January 15
Applicants can log in to the scientific ** network information system after January 15, 2024, and write the application in accordance with the writing outline and related requirements of various types of project applications.
March 1 - March 20 at 4 p.m
The 2024 National Natural Science ** centralized acceptance will start on March 1, 2024 and close at 4 p.m. on March 20, 2024.
Before April 29
The Natural Science Committee will announce the results of the preliminary review of the application project before April 29, 2024, and accept the application for review.
It's January 10, so this year's guide is expected to be published in the next few days. If you want to apply for 2024, you can prepare to modify the application materials in your hand according to the latest requirements. After all, the writing of the application materials is a very time-consuming and laborious thing, and if you want to polish a "good book", you must pay for time, and it is unrealistic to complete the manuscript at one time.
In addition, according to the national natural declaration process in previous years, Xiao Qiao also summarized some important time nodes after the initial review, so as to facilitate everyone's early preparation.
02 As competition intensifies, we must be mentally prepared
Previously, on December 18, the National Natural Science Commission released the 2024 National Natural Science Reform Initiative, which was announced"Cancel the application of two and stop one", "cancel the restriction on the change of relying on the unit", and "relax the age of women".and a series of reform measures. (For detailed measures, see the previous article of Academic Bridge: The country is naturally clear!) Lift the limit! ）
Women will apply"Jieqing"The age limit for the program has been relaxed to 48 years old.Many scholars who were originally stuck outside the declaration gate shouted that the spring of the country has arrived, and all restrictions are being relaxed, so that more outstanding scholars can have the opportunity to participate. But in fact, such relaxation has also intensified the competition of national nature to a certain extent. Take the policy of "Shen two stop one" as an example, after the cancellation, there will be a large number of scientific researchers who have been continuously off the list before to "fight three wars" with books that have been repeatedly polished for many years, and a large number of "little whites" have been crushed from experience. Plus, this will tooThis will lead to an increase in the number of national natural declarations in 2024, coupled with some of the "bigwig" competitors brought about by the relaxation of age, will further reduce the probability of everyone winning the bid, and it is not an exaggeration to say that thousands of troops have crossed the single-plank bridge.A separate track will be set up in the Basic Science Center project to support young scientific research teams with a maximum age of no more than 55 and an average age of no more than 50 years old. Continue to pilot the funding for outstanding doctoral students and undergraduates, and insist"Less but finer", for the construction of a high-level basic research team"Living water at the source"
The restriction on suspension of applications for one year after two consecutive years of unfunded applications for general projects will be lifted.
Remove the restriction that postdoctoral researchers are not allowed to change their supporting units for general projects, youth**, and regions**.
03 Please keep these declaration suggestions
The arduous competition in the future can be predicted, but everyone still has to maintain confidence and be more meticulous and hard in topic selection and material writing. At present, the application guidelines for 2024 have not yet been released, and the following are some application suggestions based on the review summary of previous years for your reference.
1. Understand the objectives and requirements of various national and natural projects
If you want to get funding, the most important thing is to meet the requirements and understand the psychology of the "problem-maker" in order to establish the project more smoothly. In general, the goal of the National Natural Sciences** is to support scientific research that is original, cutting-edge, and important. Before applying, read the guidelines and application requirements carefully and ensure that the research project meets the positioning and objectives of the project. Understand the focus areas and priority research directions to support, and map your project to them.
2. Lay the foundation and do a good job in research
The foundation of the work plays a key role in whether the project can be established and decisively decided. At present, the country naturally promotes the peer review mechanism, whether your application is professional or not, whether the applicant has worked hard in the research field, the review experts often see it at a glance at the application, which plays a very important role in judging the feasibility of the project. In other words, if the applicant's work foundation is poor and he is not familiar with the things to be proposed, it will be difficult to write high-quality application materials. Therefore, it is important to lay a good foundation.
3. Details determine success or failure, and the quality and completeness of application materials
The quality and completeness of the application materials is essential to receive funding from the National Natural Sciences**. While ensuring the innovation of the project, the application materials should also be clear and logical, and strictly abide by the specified requirements and word limits. In addition, you must be careful not to make low-level mistakes! Many professors said that in the process of serving as judges for some academic activities in China, they often saw typos in the written materials and no fonts in the slides.
1. There is no problem with alignment. Although these problems do not mean that the ability of talents is not good, this kind of unserious attitude is often very "dissuaded".
4. Seek help from peers and seniors
Before submitting the application materials, you should actively maintain communication with the supporting units, communicate more with the leaders of the department or fellow scholars and friends in work and life, conduct simulated trial defense activities, listen carefully to the opinions of experienced experts, carefully polish the content of the materials, and learn to look at your own application materials from the perspective of review experts, so that your peers and lay experts can easily understand the significance of your results.
If there is anything else you want to know, you can leave a message in the comment area
The original text of the notice is as follows:
Notice on the Application and Completion of the 2024 National Natural Science ** Project and Other Related Matters
In accordance with the arrangement for the management of scientific funding, the relevant matters related to the application of scientific projects in 2024 and the completion of projects at the end of the funding period in 2023 are hereby notified as follows.
1) Acceptance of project applications.
1.In 2024, the types of projects that will accept applications include: general projects, key projects, key international (regional) cooperative research projects, youth science projects, regional science projects, outstanding young scientists, national science projects, national science projects for distinguished young scholars, national outstanding young scientists, innovative research group projects, basic science center projects, foreign scholars research projects, mathematics Tianyuan projects, National major scientific research instrument development projects (free application) and some joint projects. Centralized reception work onIt will start on March 1, 2024 and close at 4 p.m. on March 20, 2024
2.For projects other than the above project types, the Natural Science Committee will publish guidelines separately. Applicants should try their best to accept applications for international (regional) cooperation and exchange programs at any timeAvoidSubmit applications during the centralized reception period.
2) Matters relating to the applicant and the main participants.
1.Applicants should carefully read the "National Natural Science ** Regulations" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations Annual National Natural Science ** Project Guide" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guide"), relevant types of project management measures, "National Natural Science ** Funded Project Fund Management Measures" (Caijiao 2021 No. 177, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund Management Measures") and relevant regulationsLog in to the scientific ** network information system (hereinafter referred to as the information system) after January 15, 2024Write an application in accordance with the outline and relevant requirements of various types of project applications. Applicants who do not have an information system account should apply for an account with the ** management contact person of the relying unit.
In 2024, the restriction on the one-year suspension of applications for general projects after two consecutive years of unfunded applications will be lifted
3.The scientific project fund management method is divided into a lump sum system and a budget system. In 2024, the Youth Science Program, the Outstanding Youth Science Program, the National Science Program for Distinguished Young Scholars, the National Science Program for Distinguished Young Scholars, and the Basic Research Projects for Young Students established on a pilot basis will be funded on a lump sum basis, and applicants do not need to prepare a budget when applying for the project. The budget system shall be implemented for other types of projects, and the applicant shall carefully and truthfully prepare the project budget in accordance with the "Measures for the Management of Funds" and relevant regulations, in accordance with the basic principles of "target relevance, policy consistency, and economic rationality", combined with the actual needs of project research. Additional budget review for the renewal of funding projects of the Basic Science Center. Strictly carry out the budget review of major national scientific research instrument development projects, and will not fund projects whose application funds seriously exceed the actual needs。If there is a cooperative research unit in the project application, the applicant and the participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare the project budget separately according to the research tasks they undertake, and the project applicant shall summarize and compile it after being reviewed by the unit.
Applicants should choose one type of research attribute from "free exploration basic research" and "goal-oriented basic research" according to the research content of the application. Among them, "free exploration basic research" refers to original and cutting-edge basic research whose topics are selected from the curiosity or innovative academic inspiration of scientific researchers, and do not aim to meet the current application needs; "Goal-oriented basic research" refers to basic research that is guided by the needs of economic and social development or the needs of the state
For the general projects, youth science projects and key projects of the pilot classification review, the Natural Science Committee will organize experts to conduct classification review based on the research attributes selected by the applicant.
5.Applicants should invite the main participants** to fill in their resumes through the information system and upload the resume files of the main participants in PDF format automatically generated by the system. For the representativeness in the resume, the applicant and the main participant should truthfully list the signatures of all authors according to the true situation at the time of publication, and mark the signatures of the applicants, and upload the full text of the representative ** published in PDF electronic version. Representative monographs should be uploaded with scanned copies in PDF format, such as the cover, abstract, table of contents, and copyright pages.
6.Applicants apply for general projects, youth science projects, regional science projects, key projects, outstanding young science projects, national science projects for distinguished young people, national science projects for distinguished young people, innovative research group projects, basic science center projects, joint projects, national major scientific research instrument development projects and major projects, and the research period is automatically generated by the information system in combination with the project type, and the applicant cannot change it.
Before submitting the project application, the applicant shall obtain the consent of the main participants and the cooperative research unit on all the contents of the application materials
8.If the project application submitted by the applicant involves a sensitive field of science and technology ethics, it shall be subject to an ethical review.
9.The applicant shall ensure that the e-mail address provided is unobstructed and valid, so that the applicant can receive the notice of approval or non-funding of the applied project and the relevant information of the expert review opinion in a timely manner after the completion of the project review, otherwise the applicant shall bear the legal consequences arising therefrom.
3) Relying on the unit's matters.
The supporting unit shall conscientiously perform the main responsibility, in accordance with the "National Natural Science Relying Unit Work Management Measures", "Several Opinions of the National Natural Science Committee on Further Strengthening the Scientific Management of Relying Units", relevant types of project management measures and fund management measures and relevant provisions of the requirements of the application work, review the authenticity, completeness and compliance of the application materials submitted by the applicant, and submit the application materials to the Natural Science Commission within the specified time. The specific requirements are as follows:
The supporting unit shall ensure that the unit, the cooperative research unit, the applicant and the main participants are not restricted from declaring, undertaking or participating in scientific and technological activities supported by financial funds
2.The supporting unit should pay attention to the quality of project applications, and avoid blindly pursuing the number of project applications through "national mobilization", setting hard indicators, and implementing reward and punishment measures linked to whether or not to apply for the project.
3.The supporting unit should be selected from the information system in advance2024 National Natural Science ** Supporting Unit Project Application CommitmentAfter being signed by the legal representative and stamped with the official seal of the supporting unit, the electronic scanned copy will be uploaded to the information system (only need to be uploaded once this year). The relying unit can apply for the project only after completing the above-mentioned commitment procedures
4.The supporting unit shall confirm and submit the electronic application form and attachment materials of the unit through the information system one by one before the deadline for centralized reception of project applications; Be sure to submit the application list within 24 hours** of the deadlinePlease rely on the unit to determine the deadline for receiving the project application according to the actual situation.
5.The supporting unit should establish a sound scientific research ethics review mechanism to prevent ethical risks. In accordance with relevant laws, regulations and ethical guidelines, establish and improve the management system of science and technology ethics; strengthen the ethical review mechanism and process supervision; Strengthen publicity, education, and training, and raise the sense of responsibility and legal awareness of scientific research personnel in science and technology ethics.
4) How to submit application materials.
1.National Natural Science ProjectFull implementation of paperless applications。The National Natural Science Application Form (hereinafter referred to as the application) for all types of projects shall be written in the first mode. Applicants should submit an electronic application form and upload all relevant certification letters, recommendation letters and other materials that require special explanations in electronic scanned copies. The relying unit only needs to confirm the electronic application form and attachment materials, and does not need to submit paper application materials.
2.After the project is approved, the relying unit shall submit the paper signature and seal page of the application form, and bind it at the end of the "Funded Project Plan" and submit it together. The signature and seal information should be consistent with the final electronic version of the application submitted in the information system. For those who fail to provide signature and seal materials in accordance with the above requirements, the Natural Science Commission will deal with them in accordance with the relevant regulations.
5) Announcement of the results of the preliminary examination.
The Natural Sciences Commission will be held inApril 29, 2024The results of the preliminary examination of the application project will be announced, and the application for review will be accepted.
1) Matters of the person in charge of the project.
The person in charge of the project should carefully read the "Measures for the Management of Research Results of National Natural Science ** Funded Projects", relevant types of project management measures and fund management measures and relevant regulations, write the "National Natural Science ** Funded Project Final Achievement Report" (hereinafter referred to as the final results report), and ensure that the content filled in is true and the data is accurate, and at the same time pay attention to the protection of intellectual property rights, and shall not appear in the national "Science and Technology Confidentiality Regulations" The content that belongs to the scope of national scientific and technological secrets shall not appear; There shall be no confidential information or sensitive information that violates the provisions on scientific and technological secrecy and scientific and technological security.
1.The project leader logs in to the information system, writes the final report and submits the attached materials electronically; After being reviewed and approved by the Natural Science Committee, the project leader** and print the final PDF format of the final results report, and submit the original paper final report (excluding attachments) to the supporting unit. The project leader shall ensure that the content of the paper final report is consistent with the electronic version after approval.
2.The person in charge of the project shall, in accordance with the "Measures for the Management of Funds" and relevant regulations, as well as the specific requirements of the "Instructions for the Preparation of the Final Accounts of the National Natural Science ** Project", together with the scientific research, finance and other departments to clean up the accounts and assets in a timely manner, and truthfully prepare the "Final Accounts of the National Natural Science ** Project" to ensure that the final account data are true and accurate, and the capital expenditure is legal and effective. If there are multiple units jointly undertaking a project, the project leader and the participants of the cooperative research unit shall prepare the final accounts of the project separately, and after being reviewed by the unit, the project leader shall summarize and compile them.
3.When the project leader writes the final outcome report, he or she shall not include those that have not been officially published, unpublished, or not marked with the national natural science funding and project approval number, etc., in the final achievement report; The research results obtained by non-project leaders or non-main participants shall not be included in the final outcome report; Research results unrelated to the funded project shall not be included in the final outcome report; The content of ** shall not be directly copied as the content of the final achievement report; Results that are earlier than the start of project funding should not be included in the final results report.
4.The project leader or main participant should include the results of popular science in the final report in accordance with the requirements of the Opinions of the National Natural Science Committee on Strengthening the Popularization of Science in the New Era; At the same time, the relevant ** upload and store the relevant ** in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Natural Science Commission on the open access of the funded projects**.
5.The person in charge of the project shall comply with the relevant provisions and be rigorous and prudent in the release, dissemination and application of scientific research results involving sensitive issues of scientific and technological ethics.
6.After the completion of the project, the Natural Science Committee will publish the full text of the final report on the National Natural Science Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform and the National Science and Technology Report Service System in accordance with relevant regulations.
2) Relying on the unit's matters.
The relying unit should attach great importance to the scientific management of the project completion, conscientiously fulfill the main responsibility of project management, supervise and guide the project leader to carefully write the final report on the results, and review the final materials in strict accordance with the requirements of relevant management regulations.
1.The relying unit shall first submit the electronic version of the final materials through the information system, and then submit the paper version of the final materials after the approval of the Natural Science Committee. The project that should be completed if the final materials are not submitted on time shall be treated as overdue and included in the scope of the corresponding limited application, and the Natural Science Committee will deal with the project leader and the supporting unit in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations.
2.The relying unit shall review and confirm the final materials through the information system before 16 o'clock on February 26, 2024, and submit the original paper conclusion report (in duplicate) signed and sealed by the unit before March 11, as well as the paper completion materials such as the official letter of the unit and the list of final projects, to the Natural Science Committee by mail, and the incomplete materials will not be accepted.
i) Progress report of the project.
The project leader logs in to the information system and writes the "Progress Report of the National Natural Science Funded Project" (hereinafter referred to as the project progress report); In accordance with the requirements of the "Regulations" and related management measures, the relying unit shall review the project progress report through the information system, and shall review the project progress report in accordance with the requirements of the RegulationsJanuary 15, 2024Confirm item by item, no need to submit paper materials. Those who fail to submit a project progress report in accordance with the provisions shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant regulations.
ii) Annual management report.
The relying unit writes the "Annual Management Report of the National Natural Science Funded Project" (hereinafter referred to as the annual management report) through the information systemOn April 1, 2024, April 15, 2024 at 4 p.mDuring the period, electronic materials are submitted, and paper materials are not required. For the supporting units that fail to submit the annual management report within the specified time, the application for the next year's scientific project will not be opened
3) Filing of the provisions on the management of the lump sum system.
According to the relevant provisions of the "Measures for the Management of Funds", the supporting unit for the use of the lump sum system for project funds shall formulate regulations on the management of the lump sum system for project funds. For the newly approved lump sum system projects in 2023 but have not yet completed the filing, the supporting unit shall report the lump sum system management regulations formulated by the unit to the Natural Science ** Commission for the record before 16:00 on June 30, 2024; If the ICP filing has been completed but needs to be re-amended, the amendment should also be completed and re-filed before the deadline。For the specific filing process, please refer to the Notice on the Filing of the Regulations on the Management of the Lump Sum System for National Natural Science ** Project Funding (Guo Ke Jin Cai Han 2021 No. 27).
1) The material receiving group is responsible for uniformly receiving the materials delivered or mailed by the supporting units, and does not accept materials directly submitted by individuals and non-supporting units.
2) The office of the material receiving group is located in Room 101, the administrative building of the Natural Science Commission.
1) When filling in the research results such as **, the signatures of all authors shall be listed truthfully and standardly according to the true situation at the time of publication, and the order of the authors shall not be tampered with, and the first author or corresponding author shall not be falsely marked.
2) For published research results (including patents), the project leader and participants should truthfully indicate that they have received funding and project approval numbers from the National Natural Science ** project, and if science ** is the main funding channel or plays a major funding role, science ** shall be marked as the first order.
3) The Guidelines are planned to be published in the Natural Science Committee in mid to early January 2024.
4) Conclusion: Paper materials such as results report are recommended to be printed and bound on both sides.
5) On June 1, 2023, the Natural Science ** Committee issued the Basic Researcher ID (BRID) to assign codes to researchers with information system accounts. Starting from 2024, the BRID code of the project leader will be displayed on the application, project progress report, and final achievement report.
*: The Academic Bridge is synthesized from the National Natural Science Commission, Huoxing, Jiazhi Youmeng and previous articles.