China offers 15-year research grants to the world’s brightest young scientists

China is granting the world's most promising young scientists 15-year research funds, as the nation strives to become a leading science hub. Dou Xiankang, director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), announced on September 19 that the agency is selecting a group of exceptional researchers under 35 for long-term financial support.

The primary metric for these scientists over a 15-year period will be their physical presence in the laboratory; short-term success is not a concern. This year, 44 scientists were chosen, including nine from overseas and more than 30 from within China. Funding will increase after the first five years and again after the next five.

This new initiative aims to identify and support China's most innovative and passionate researchers. The NSFC has long struggled with a system that concentrates resources among a few senior researchers, leaving younger academics to compete fiercely for funding. In an effort to shift resources towards younger researchers, the NSFC director has focused on this goal since his appointment in April 2023.

The government is offering up to 28 million yuan (US$4.17 million) over 15 years to support the work of the brightest young scientists. In May, the NSFC announced a substantial expansion of its Young Scientists Fund, increasing the number of grants by more than 50 per cent. China is currently experiencing a phase of accelerated technological development, producing a large number of outstanding young minds.

The NSFC aims to direct substantial funding towards this talented group to ensure China's scientific advancement.