It is one of the main channels for the state to support basic research and some applied research funds. The main responsibilities of the Association are as follows: ① According to the national principles, policies and plans for developing science and technology, and in accordance with the operating mode of the natural science fund system adapted to the socialist market economic system, the Association uses the natural science fund invested by the state finance to fund basic research and some applied research of natural science, discover and cultivate talents, give full play to the guiding and coordinating role of the natural science fund, and promote scientific and technological progress and economic and social development. (2) To be responsible for the management of the National Natural Science Foundation, formulate and publish guidelines for basic research and some applied research, accept project applications, organize expert review, give preferential funds, and create a research environment conducive to innovation. (3) Cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to formulate the principles, policies and development plans of national basic research, accept the entrustment, provide consultation on major issues of national high-tech and applied research, and undertake related tasks. ④ Support the work of other natural science funds in China. ⑤ Establish contacts with foreign government science and technology management departments, science foundations and relevant academic organizations, and carry out international cooperation. ⑥ Be responsible for the management, supervision and business guidance of directly affiliated institutions. All landowners to undertake other tasks assigned by the State Council and the National Leading Group for Science and Technology Education. The term of office of the director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China is four years. Successive directors are Tang Aoqing (1986 ~ 1990), Zhang Cunhao (1990 ~ 1999) and Chen Jiaer (1999 ~ 2003). The Fifth National Natural Science Foundation of China has 24 members, who are scientific and technical experts and management experts, who consult, evaluate and supervise major policies and major issues in the work funded by the National Science Foundation. Members are appointed for four years. The National Natural Science Foundation of China has seven science departments: mathematical physics, chemical science, life science, earth science, engineering and materials science, information science and management science. At the end of 2004, there were 184 full-time staff. The National Natural Science Foundation of China is open to the whole country and free to apply, and implements the evaluation principle of "relying on experts, promoting democracy, supporting the excellent and strengthening the strong, being fair and reasonable" and the operation mechanism of "scientific democracy, equal competition and encouraging innovation". Form "projects" and "talents", establish a general, key and major three-level project funding pattern and a series of special funds that cooperate with each other; The framework consists of the National Basic Science Talents Training Fund, the Youth Science Fund, the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund (including foreigners), the Overseas and Hong Kong and Macao Young Scholars Cooperative Research Fund, and the Innovative Research Group Science Fund. In the past 20 years, the National Natural Science Foundation has supported the state to invest about 654.38+08 billion yuan (see figure), supported about 654.38+million research projects, and steadily supported tens of thousands of scientific and technological workers to engage in basic research, including 654.38+03? 420 people, supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars 1? 49 1 person, 52 1 person funded by overseas and Hong Kong and Macao Young Scholars Cooperative Research Fund, and1/team funded by Innovation Research Group Science Fund. In 2006, the state allocated 3.4 billion yuan, which increased to 4.296 billion yuan in 2007, and it is planned to be 5.358 billion yuan in 2008. The National Natural Science Foundation has contributed to the development of basic research, the construction of basic disciplines and the discovery and cultivation of outstanding scientific and technological talents in China.