China's National Natural Science Foundation, or NSFC, has been pivotal in advancing the country's basic research landscape. Established in February 1986, the foundation has emerged as a primary source of national funding, empowering thousands of researchers to pursue innovative endeavors.

Recent directives from Chinese President Xi Jinping have emphasized the need for a strategic, forward-looking, and systematic approach to basic research. Xi's call for enhanced support for scientists and original innovations comes as the NSFC prepares to navigate a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation.

Over its 40-year history, the NSFC has supported an impressive 880,000 projects, channeling a total funding of 460.8 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately 66.7 billion dollars. This financial backing has facilitated the participation of roughly 4.8 million researchers across various disciplines.

The support offered by NSFC significantly expanded from 80 million yuan in its inaugural year to an expected 39.5 billion yuan in 2025. This expansion highlights the foundation's commitment to creating a structured funding system that spans all career stages and includes 18 different project categories.

Moreover, the NSFC has fostered a diversified funding model that incorporates contributions from local governments, industries, enterprises, and social capital. This collaborative approach supports both pioneering research and the fulfillment of national strategic requirements.

The foundation’s catalytic influence is evident through substantial original breakthroughs in scientific fields, including iron-based superconductors and quantum anomalous Hall effects. Such achievements underscore both the importance and effectiveness of stable funding in promoting long-term exploration and innovation.

Notable quantum physicist Pan Jianwei attributed his early career progress to NSFC support, which allowed him to pursue high-risk research that ultimately led to significant advancements in quantum information. This experience is echoed by many scientists whose journeys have been similarly shaped by dependable funding.

As a result of its extensive support, China has seen tremendous improvements in its global research reputation. For five consecutive years, it has led the world in both high-level international journal publications and international patent applications, reflecting the foundation's influence on systemic research capacities.

In significant sectors such as quantum technology, life sciences, materials science, and space science, NSFC-backed researchers have generated original achievements, indicating a robust enhancement of China's scientific capabilities.

Looking forward, as China aims for greater self-reliance in advanced scientific and technological domains, the NSFC is poised to further strengthen its focus on basic research while optimizing funding efficiency. This direction is essential for establishing China as a leading science and technology powerhouse.

(With input from Xinhua)