Yes, the 863 project is much more difficult than the National Natural Fund. Generally, the 863 and 973 projects are all co-operated by several universities, or can only be applied by one scientific research team, and the funds are quite large, mostly in the tens of millions of yuan. The National Natural Fund is much easier, the application conditions are not so harsh, and the funds are mostly between tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands. The project leader of 863 and 973 became the chief scientist of 863 or 973. The National Natural Science Foundation can apply as long as it is an associate professor or above, without the title of scientist.

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), referred to as NSFC for short, is a public institution approved by the State Council 1986 02 14 and managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The National Natural Science Foundation of China is responsible for effectively utilizing the National Natural Science Foundation, supporting basic research, insisting on free exploration and playing a guiding role according to the national principles, policies and plans for developing science and technology. 202111,official website, the interdisciplinary science department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China was officially launched.

Its main responsibilities are:

1. Formulate and implement funding plans to support basic research and train scientific and technological talents, accept project applications, organize expert review, manage funded projects, promote the effective allocation of scientific research resources, and create a favorable environment conducive to innovation;

2. Cooperate with the state administrative department of science and technology to formulate the principles, policies and plans for the development of national basic research, and provide advice on major issues concerning the development of national science and technology;

3. Establish contacts with government science and technology management departments, funding institutions and academic organizations in other countries or regions, and carry out international cooperation.

At present, the peer expert system includes more than 80,000 peer communication review experts (including nearly 1,000 expert review teams of the Ministry of Science, and various expert review teams are set up as needed). Peer review experts are distributed in universities and research institutes all over the country. The expert review group is composed of some scientists with high academic attainments, strong academic judgment, impartiality, decent style, enthusiasm for the work of science foundation and certain prestige. The term of office of the experts in the evaluation team is two years, and the re-election shall not exceed two terms, and each term shall be updated by about 50%. From 1986 to 2007, eleven expert review groups were established.