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.