On August 16, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) announced the review results of NSFC projects in 2019. To date Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) has had 732 NSFC projects approved with a total amount (direct cost) of RMB 377.12 million yuan, ranking 4th and 6th in China respectively.

HUST's approved NSFC projects include 346 general projects with a direct cost of 198.29 million yuan, ranking 5th in China; 336 projects supported by the Young Scientists Fund, with a direct cost of 76 million yuan, ranking 3rd in China; 4 national major research instrument development projects (free application) with a direct cost of 28.37 million yuan, ranking 3rd in China; 14 projects supported by the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, ranking 8th in China; 13 key projects with a direct cost of 38.57 million yuan, ranking 9th in China; 4 key international (regional) joint research projects; 2 projects supported by the Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Scholars in Hong Kong and Macao (continued); 2 projects of joint funds; and 11 other projects.

In terms of the number of approved NSFC projects, the total 10 universities are Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Fudan University, Peking University, Shandong University, Tsinghua University, Central South University and Sichuan University. (Statistical results do not cover the projects supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars released on August 2.)

Number of Approved NSFC Projects and Amount in 2019 (Top 10)

According to overall approval data, competition for the National Natural Science Fund remained intense this year. NSFC received 240,711 project applications from 2,364 host institutions, up 25,844 or 12.03 percent year on year, and accepted 236,998 programs through preliminary examinations and reviews. In accordance with theRegulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, relevant measures of the National Natural Science Foundation of China for project management and experts' review opinions, 41,752 projects declared by over 1,400 host institutions in China were approved, with a total amount of 21 billion yuan.

According to data released by NFSC, NFSC supported a total of 41,752 projects in 2019, including 18,995 general projects, 743 key projects, 103 key international (regional) joint research projects, 17,966 projects supported by the Young Scientists Fund, 45 innovative research group projects, 23 projects supported by the Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Scholars in Hong Kong and Macao (continued); 2,960 regional science fund projects, 235 projects of joint funds (NSAF Joint Fund,Astronomical Joint Fund, Joint Fund for Scientific Research of Large Scientific Installations, Civil Aviation Joint Research Fund and Joint Fund for Iron and Steel Research), 82 national major research instrument projects (free application). The other projects are under review.