To implement a more open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial international scientific cooperation strategy, promote the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and build a community with a shared future for mankind, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is widely collaborating with international scientific organizations and research funding agencies to launch the “Sustainable Development International Cooperation Program”. This program aims to promote bilateral and multilateral international exchanges and cooperation among researchers worldwide to jointly address global scientific challenges.

I. Priority Research Areas

This guideline focuses on two major areas: the dynamics of typical social-ecological systems and sustainable development, and research on sustainable development goals related to climate, food, water, and energy resource security in China or globally. To focus on key scientific issues and achieve the related scientific goals, project applications need to select the above-mentioned typical social-ecological systems in China and the “Global South”, and focus on the major challenges of socio-economic sustainable development in China and the world. The research should integrate and cross the dynamics of social-ecological systems, mainly addressing issues such as land desertification and arable land degradation in arid and semi-arid regions, karst ecosystem degradation or rocky desertification, plateau-mountain ecosystem changes and biodiversity, disaster prevention and control, regional development contradictions, coastal ecosystem degradation, and its relationship with regional and global sustainable development. Additionally, research on climate security, ecological security, agricultural security, water security, and energy and resource security in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is encouraged, providing scientific strategies and pathways for achieving related SDGs.

II. Basic Principles for Project Selection

(1) Project proposals should aim to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on research based on the key elements of environmental-socioeconomic systems and their interactions.

(2) Research content should address relevant scientific problems and the scientific challenges associated with sustainable development in developing countries, specifically focusing on the dynamics of the environmental-socioeconomic system related to achieving the SDGs.

(3) Exploratory research in cutting-edge fields is encouraged, with priority given to studies featuring original concepts, new theories, new methods, and new technologies.

(4) The project execution process should emphasize the development of young talent and the construction of international cooperation networks (especially multilateral cooperation).

(5) Joint applications from research teams across different disciplinary fields are encouraged to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

III. The 2024 Funding Plan

(1) Type and Scale of Funding

Approximately 15 “Capacity Building Projects” and 20 “Key Projects” are planned for funding.

·Capacity Building Projects aim to support the cultivation of cooperative relationships and capacity building among Chinese and foreign researchers.

·Key Projects aim to support collaborative research between Chinese and foreign researchers in selected areas, jointly cultivate outstanding scientific and technological talents, address underlying scientific issues of regional challenges, propose pathways for achieving SDGs that coordinate ecological, resource, and socio-economic aspects, and develop sustainable development strategies, providing scientific decision support for sustainable development in relevant countries and regions.

(2) Funding Budget

·The funding budget for “Capacity Building Projects” is up to 600,000 yuan per project (direct costs).

·The funding budget for “Key Projects” under “Main Funding Direction (I) Typical Socio-ecological System Dynamics and Sustainable Development” is up to 2,000,000 yuan per project (direct costs).

·The funding budget for “Key Projects” under “Main Funding Direction (II) Research Oriented Towards the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals” is up to 3,000,000 yuan per project (direct costs).

(3) Funding Duration

The funding duration is 3 years, with the research period in the application specified from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.

IV. Announcement of Approval Results

The funding results will be notified through the Science Fund Online Information System by the end of 2024.

V. Contact Information

Zhang Le, Rong Nianhe

Bureau of International Cooperation

Tel: +86-10-6232 8404, 6232 6998

E-mail: zhangle@nsfc.gov.cn,

rongnh@nsfc.gov.cn

Tan Yuqing

Department of International Programs

Tel: +86-10-62329469

E-mail: ytan@nsfc.gov.cn

For more detailed information, such as the scientific objectives, description of the priority research areas, application notes and annex, please visit https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab442/info93496.htm.

Bureau of International Cooperation,

Department of International Programs,

National Natural Science Foundation of China