The National Natural Science Foundation of China was proposed by 89 academicians (faculty members) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a letter to the Party Central Committee and the State Council in the early 1980s, in order to promote the reform of my country's science and technology system and change the method of scientific research funding allocation.

Subsequently, with the cordial care of Comrade Deng Xiaoping, the State Council approved the establishment of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on February 14, 1986. The Natural Science Foundation insists on supporting basic research and has gradually formed and developed a funding pattern consisting of three series: research projects, talent projects and environmental conditions projects. Over the past thirty years, the Natural Science Foundation has made great achievements in promoting the development of basic research in natural sciences in my country, promoting the construction of basic disciplines, and discovering and cultivating outstanding scientific and technological talents.

In 2021, the National Natural Science Foundation of China will fund 48,700 projects.

In order to implement the National Medium and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plan, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as the National Natural Science Foundation of China) released the National Natural Science Foundation of China’s “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” in 2006. , we must accurately grasp the strategic positioning of "supporting basic research, insisting on free exploration, and playing a guiding role", implement the work policy of "respecting science, promoting democracy, promoting competition, promoting cooperation, stimulating innovation, and leading the future", and implement the "source innovation strategy" , scientific and technological talent strategy, innovative environment strategy and excellent management strategy to promote the balanced, coordinated and sustainable development of various basic science disciplines in my country. According to the overall deployment of the country and the characteristics of science fund funding work, 13 comprehensive and interdisciplinary and academic departments were selected. A number of priority development areas are distributed.