According to the cooperation agreement signed between the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS), as well as subsequent consensus, both parties will continue to jointly fund cooperation and exchange programs in 2025.

I. Program Description

(1) Funding areas

1. Atmospheric pollution and decontamination

2. Coastal evolution and the continent-ocean continuum

3. One Health: addressing health challenges through the interconnectedness of people, animals, plants, and their environment

(2) Funding scale

The programs aim to support about five projects.

(3) Funding amount

The funding amount from the Chinese side shall not exceed 150,000 yuan per project, while that from the French side shall not exceed 20,000 euros per project.

(4) Content of funding

CNRS funds international travel expenses for French researchers visiting China, as well as accommodation, meals and intercity transportation expenses during their stay in China, and expenses for hosting small seminars between the two sides.

(5) Project duration

Projects are expected to start on January 1, 2026 and end on December 31, 2027, with a duration of two years.

II. Eligibility

According to the Measures for Fund Management of NSFC-Funded International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Programs and the consensus reached by both parties, applications for this program must meet the following requirements:

French applicants should meet the eligibility requirements of CNRS for domestic applicants and submit their applications to CNRS as required. Applications submitted unilaterally will not be accepted.

For a detailed explanation of applicant requirements, please refer to the “National Natural Science Fund Guide to Programs 2025”.

III. Application Period

The online application acceptance period for the Chinese information system is from August 7, 2025 to September 24, 2025 at 4 pm. Applicants are requested to remind their foreign collaborators to submit their applications before the deadline set by their funding agencies.

IV. Approval result notification

The funding result will be notified through the NSFC’s online information platform at grants.nsfc.gov.cn/pmpweb/login

V. Contacts

Xiao Xi (Chinese)

Department of International Programs

Tel: +86-10-62327441

E-mail: xiaoxi@nsfc.gov.cn

Sun Hui (Chinese)

Department of International Programs

Tel: +86-10-62326747

E-mail: sunhui@nsfc.gov.cn

For technical support (Information Center): +86-10-62317474

Noe Montel (French)

E-mail: noe.montel@cnrs.fr

For more detailed information, such as application code, regulations on restricted applications, application procedure and schedule, please visit https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab442/info95392.htm.

Department of International Programs,

National Natural Science Foundation of China