GoKawiilNSFC names first 44 recipients of 15-year research grants in China
China's National Natural Science Foundation has selected 44 researchers under 35 (38 for women), including 9 from outside the country, for its new National Distinguished Young Scientists Fund. NSFC president Dou Xiankang announced the picks at a Shenzhen forum, describing a 'five-plus-five-plus-five' structure where initial five-year grants can be renewed twice to reach 15 years, with funding doubling to 8 million yuan in the second phase. Dou said recipients would face no short-term performance assessments, only a requirement to remain active in the lab.
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Long grant cycles could let scientists pursue riskier, slower-maturing research that shorter funding periods typically discourage, according to statistician Nicole White, who notes major discoveries often take decades. The program may also signal China's effort to attract and retain young talent, including international researchers, in a global funding landscape still dominated by five-year-or-shorter grants. Because recipient names and projects remain undisclosed, it is not yet possible to assess what fields or institutions will benefit most.
- NSFC selected 44 researchers under 35 (38 for women) for its first cohort of 15-year grants, including 9 from outside China.
- The funding follows a 'five-plus-five-plus-five' renewal structure, starting at 4 million yuan and doubling to 8 million yuan in the second phase.
- NSFC says it will not apply short-term performance targets during the 15 years, assessing only continued lab engagement.
Source: nature.com — Basu, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “China picks first researchers for 15-year mega grants”
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