The following document is the 2022 budget for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, a government-run body that oversees and audits Chinese scientific research funds, principally those that support basic research.

The Chinese source text is available online at: https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/Portals/0/fj/fj20220324_01.pdf

An archived version of the Chinese source text is available online at: https://perma.cc/4EKZ-MG5W

U.S. $1 ≈ 6.7 Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB), as of June 14, 2022.

National Natural Science Foundation of China

2022 Annual Budget

March 2022

Part 1: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Overview

I. Primary Responsibilities

(i) In accordance with state S&T development directives, policies, and plans and in accordance with the mode of operation used by natural science funding which is compatible with the socialist market economic structure, to use funds from the central government fiscal budget to subsidize basic research and exploration of the scientific cutting edge, to discover and train S&T talents, to give full play to the guiding and coordinating role of natural science funds, and to promote S&T progress and economic and social development.

(ii) To be responsible for the management of state natural science funds. To formulate and publish natural science funding project application guidelines, accept project applications, organize expert reviews, select the best funding projects, supervise the implementation of funded projects, and strive to create a research environment conducive to innovation.

(iii) To coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to formulate national basic research guidelines, policies, and development plans. When tasked, to provide consultation and undertake related tasks on major issues in advanced S&T and applied research.

(iv) To support the work of other domestic natural science funds.

(v) To establish contacts and carry out international cooperation with foreign government science and technology management departments, science foundations, and relevant academic organizations.

(vi) To be responsible for the management, supervision, and business guidance of directly affiliated institutions.

(vii) To carry out other work entrusted or assigned by the State Council.

II. Configuration of Departmental Institutions

NSFC has 15 internal institutions at the base level (本级内设机构), including: The Office (Research Integrity Construction Office), Planning and Policy Bureau, Finance Bureau, International Cooperation Bureau, Personnel Bureau, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Department of Chemical Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Department of Earth Science, Department of Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Information Science, Department of Management Science, Department of Medical Science, Department of Interdisciplinary Science, and Party Committee for Internal Institutions (机关党委).

The NSFC departmental budget includes NSFC (at the base level) and three directly subordinate self-funded and self-supporting public institutions.¹

The three directly affiliated institutions include: the NSFC Internal Service Center, the NSFC Science Communication and Achievement Conversion Center (科学传播与成果转化中心), and the Sino-German Center for Science Promotion (中德科学基金研究交流中心).

Part 2: 2022 NSFC Budget Tables

For the rest of the translation, download the PDF below.

1. Translator’s note: “Public institutions” (事业单位) are organizations created and led by PRC government departments that provide social services. Unlike state-owned enterprises (SOEs), public institutions do not create material products and do not generate income. Public institutions are not considered government agencies, and their employees are not civil servants. Most public institutions are fully or partially government-funded, but some fully privately funded (but still government-led) public institutions exist. Public institutions typically provide services in areas such as education, science and technology, culture, health, and sanitation