China extends funding programme to lure top young scientists from overseas

China is ramping up its campaign to lure top young scientists from abroad, extending a major funding programme for a second round – a move that could be partly aimed at US-based researchers facing budget constraints.

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – the top funder of basic research – last week issued an additional call for applications for the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) following its first round earlier this year.

Since its launch in 2021, the programme has awarded individual grants of 1 million to 3 million yuan (US$140,000 to US$418,000) to thousands of scientists – born in China or overseas – under the age of 40. Applicants must have at least three years of postdoctoral experience abroad and commit to a full-time position at a Chinese institution.

The additional round this year aimed to “improve China’s talent funding system, better use science grants to attract and support researchers, and bring more outstanding young researchers from overseas to work in China”, the NSFC said in a statement on its website on July 30.

In the United States, early-career scientists have been contending with shrinking federal support and deepening uncertainty since Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Funding agencies have been told to slash overheads since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Photo: EPA

Major funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), have been told to slash overheads – the indirect expenses that cover lab space, infrastructure and administrative support, which are often closely tied to postdoctoral research.

South China Morning Post