Call Guidelines for Research Fund for International Scientists in 2025
Background
Aiming at providing more research opportunities for and contributing to the career development of researchers at different academic stages, the Research Fund for International Scientists (hereinafter referred to as the RFIS) is set up by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to support international scientists with foreign citizenship who are ready to conduct basic research in China’s mainland. The RFIS will also enhance the long-term, sustainable academic collaboration and exchange between Chinese and international scientists.
Shimmer Center, established in 2023, comprises a highly accomplished research team. Its research encompasses several key areas, including perovskite optoelectronic materials and devices, the design and fabrication of semiconductor quantum dots for energy and optoelectronic applications, mid-short wave infrared imaging and focal plane detector modules, single-molecule fluorescence systems for tumor visualization, flexible optoelectronic sensors, plasmon-enhanced signal detection, and photonic nuclear medicine information intelligence, among others.
The Shimmer Center aims to build a comprehensive development platform integrating education, technology, talent, and industry, actively promoting full-chain innovation from theoretical research, material development, device fabrication to system integration. Starting from first principles combined with machine learning, the center focuses on the scientific research application of multi-scale, multi-physics heterogeneous coupling systems, dedicated to developing multi-dimensional micro-nano structure multifunctional integrated sensing detection systems, to achieve intelligent technological breakthroughs in optoelectronic information integration.
I. Program Description
1. Types of Grant
The RFIS consists of three sub-types:
(1) The Research Fund for International Young Scientists (RFIS-I)
(2) The Research Fund for International Excellent Young Scientists (RFIS-II)
(3) The Research Fund for International Senior Scientists (RFIS-III)
2. Funding Areas
You can apply to the following areas through our center: Mathematical and Physical Sciences (A), Chemical Sciences (B), Life Sciences (C), Engineering and Material Sciences (E), Information Sciences (F), Health Sciences(H), and Interdisciplinary Sciences (T).
(1) When selecting the application code, please choose the secondary application code (in 4 digits);
(2) When filling in the application form, please enter accurate “key words”;
(3) The applications in interdisciplinary sciences can only be submitted to the Research Fund for International Excellent Young Scientists (RFIS-II) and the Research Fund for International Senior Scientists (RFIS-III). For the applicants of interdisciplinary sciences, please first choose from the division codes T01~T04, and then select at least two application codes from A-H according to the research content when filling in the application form. For detailed guidance on application codes, please refer to the “NSFC Guide to Programs 2025”.
3. Funding Amount
(1) For the RFIS-I, the direct cost is 200,000 RMB per year (per project).
(2) For the RFIS-II, the direct cost is 400,000 RMB per year (per project).
(3) For the RFIS-III, the direct cost is 800,000 RMB per year (per project).
4. Project Duration
Applicants can apply for either one-year or two-year RFIS project. The one-year project is expected to last from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, while the two-year project is expected to last from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.
II. Eligibility
The RFIS is aimed at international scientists who are ready to work at Chinese host institutions. The host institution must be based in China’s mainland and have registered at NSFC. Specific requirements for each sub-type of the RFIS are as follows:
1. RFIS-I
(1) Doctoral degree obtained within the past 6 years (Doctoral degree was obtained after January 1, 2019);
(2) Experience of conducting basic research or postdoctoral research;
(3) Commitment to work for no less than 9 months each year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(4) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
(5) The Agreement to Support the Application of RFIS-I shall be signed between the applicant and the host institution (If the applicant has a full-time position abroad at the application stage, the foreign employer institution should be informed).
2. RFIS-II
(1) Doctoral degree completed within the past 15 year (Doctoral degree was obtained after January 1, 2010);
(2) Senior academic title;
(3) Experience of conducting basic research projects as Principal Investigator (PI);
(4) Commitment to work for no less than 9 months each year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(5) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
(6) The Agreement to Support the Application of RFIS-II shall be signed between the applicant and the host institution (If the applicant has a full-time position abroad at the application stage, the foreign employer institution should be informed).
3. RFIS-III
(1) Senior academic title;
(2) Outstanding academic achievements and significant international influence;
(3) Commitment to work for no less than 9 months per year (calendar year) at the host institution during the implementation of the project;
(4) Compliance with Chinese laws and NSFC’s relevant rules and regulations while conducting research in China.
(5) The Agreement to Support the Application of RFIS-III shall be signed between the applicant and the host institution (If the applicant has a full-time position abroad at the application stage, the foreign employer institution should be informed).
III. Additional Requirements for Eligibility
1. The applicant can only be granted for each sub type of the RFIS once.
2. The PI of an on-going grant of the RFIS cannot apply for a new RFIS project. The total number of applications for the RFIS shall not exceed 1 for each year. If the applicant has submitted an application for any of the sub-types of the RFIS, the application shall not apply for the following programs in the same year:
Ø International Collaboration Fund for Creative Research Teams (ICFCR)
Ø Young Scientists Fund (YSF)
Ø Excellent Young Scientists Fund (EYSF，including EYSF for scholars in Hong Kong and Macao)
Ø National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (NSFDYS)
Ø Science Fund for Creative Research Groups (SFCRG)
3. An applicant shall not apply for the RFIS-I if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the RFIS-II, the RFIS-III, the ICFCR, the YSF, the EYSF, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
4. An applicant shall not apply for the RFIS-II if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the RFIS-III, the ICFCR, the EYSF, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
5. An applicant shall not apply for the RFIS-III if the applicant has been the PI of an on-going or completed project of the ICFCR, the NSFDYS and the SFCRG.
6. NSFC’s limit on the total number of projects applied and undertaken does not apply to RFIS.
7. Other restrictions on the eligibility of applicants in the NSFC Guide to Programs 2025.
More details please consult the official webpage : Guidelines for Research Fund for International Scientists in 2025
IV. Talent Support
If you apply for the RFIS through our center and your application is approved, we can provide different benefits on a case-by-case basis.
(1) The Research Fund for International Young Scientists (RFIS-I): Assistant Researcher position, with corresponding post benefits.
(2) The Research Fund for International Excellent Young Scientists (RFIS-II): Associate Researcher position, with corresponding post benefits.
(3) The Research Fund for International Senior Scientists (RFIS-III): Researcher position, with corresponding post benefits.
The Shimmer Center sincerely invites outstanding scientists from around the world to join our team, deepen international cooperation, and jointly promote scientific and technological innovation and development. Join us to build a bridge for scientific and technological cooperation and contribute wisdom and strength to the development of global science and technology.
Contact
Please send your CV to the following contact person.
The deadline for the draft is February 12, 2025. Failure to submit the draft application by the deadline will be considered as a withdrawal of the application.
Contact: Mrs. Mengying Cui
Email: cuimengying@jxl.ac.cn
Tel: (+86) 28 60361529 / (+86) 28 60361530