In the application description of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, there is one item about "applicant conditions": overseas personnel who are not employed by supporting units cannot apply for various projects as applicants without supporting units; Overseas personnel employed by supporting units shall not apply for or participate in the application for various projects in a dual capacity at home and abroad. As a person in charge, he has undertaken overseas and Hong Kong and Macao scholars' cooperative research fund projects, or as a collaborator, he has undertaken international cooperative research projects. Before the first two types of projects are concluded, he may not apply for other types of projects as an applicant. On the other hand, if the project leader is undertaking other types of projects other than the first two types of projects, he shall not apply for overseas and Hong Kong and Macao scholars' cooperative research fund as an applicant, nor shall he participate in applying for international cooperative research projects as a collaborator.
In the early 1980s, the National Natural Science Foundation was put forward by 89 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a letter to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, with the aim of promoting the reform of China's science and technology system and changing the allocation of scientific research funds.
Subsequently, under the cordial care of Comrade Deng Xiaoping, the State Council approved the establishment of the National Natural Science Foundation of People's Republic of China (PRC) in February 1986. The Natural Science Foundation insists on supporting basic research, and gradually forms and develops a funding pattern consisting of three series of research projects, talent projects and environmental conditions projects. Over the past 30 years, the Natural Science Foundation has made great achievements in promoting the development of basic research of natural sciences in China, promoting the construction of basic disciplines, and discovering and cultivating outstanding scientific and technological talents.