The project review of the National Natural Science Foundation of China strictly implements the review principles of "relying on experts, promoting democracy, merit-based support, and being fair and reasonable", and adopts a two-level review system of peer expert communication review and expert review team review.

At present, the peer expert system includes more than 80,000 peer communication review experts (including nearly 1,000 experts in the Ministry of Science’s expert review team, and various expert review groups are formed as needed).

Peer review experts are located in universities and research institutes across the country.

The expert review team is composed of scientists with high academic attainments, strong academic judgment, fairness, decent style, enthusiasm for science fund work, and a certain reputation.

The experts of the review team implement a term system, each term is two years, and they cannot be re-elected for more than two terms. About 50% of the terms are renewed each term.

Eleven expert review groups have been established from 1986 to 2007.