Guidelines for collaborative research projects between the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research in 2024
The funding areas are determined through negotiation between the NSFC and the research centers (institutes) affiliated with CGIAR, and the NSFC is responsible for project acceptance, review and management. Chinese researchers should jointly submit project applications as project hosts with researchers from one of the 11 research centers (institutes) affiliated to CGIAR.
1. Project Description
(1) Funding areas and application codes.
1. Basic research on the excavation and genetic improvement of excellent germplasm resources of major food crops (rice, corn and wheat), tuber crops (sweet potato, cassava and potato), minor crops and vegetables (subordinates of C13 or C15 for application code 1) code).
2. Basic research on the accurate identification and utilization of closely related wild species resources of major food crops (rice, corn and wheat) and tuber crops (sweet potato, cassava and potato) (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C13).
3. Cultivation models and theories for efficient water and nutrient utilization of major food crops (rice, corn and wheat) (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C13 or C15).
4. Basic research on the prevention and control of major pests and diseases of major food crops (rice, corn and wheat) and potato crops (sweet potato, cassava and potato) (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C14).
5. Introduction and in-depth evaluation of edible legume germplasm resources (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C13).
6. Dryland agriculture and dryland crop improvement (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C13).
7. Basic research on important genetic resources of livestock and poultry (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C17).
8. Basic research on the prevention and control of important livestock and poultry diseases (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C18).
9. Analysis and genetic improvement of tropical pasture germplasm resources (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C16).
10. Basic research on pasture cultivation and efficient utilization of pasture feed (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C16).
11. Protection and utilization of woody plant genetic diversity and germplasm resources (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C16).
12. Research on agricultural and forestry biodiversity and its functions (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C03).
13. Research on the diversity and function of soil microbial resources for rice cultivation in tropical Asia (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C03).
14. Synergistic effect mechanism for climate change mitigation and adaptation of biodiversity in key terrestrial ecosystems (farmland, forest, grassland) and restoration of degraded ecosystems (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C03).
15. Research on the transformation of agricultural production systems (farmland, grassland) based on natural solutions (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of C03 or C13).
16. Research on the balance of food supply and consumption under nutritional goals (select G0311 for application code 1).
17. Social and economic research on emergency management and comprehensive prevention and control technology of pest invasion of Spodoptera Frugiperda in China and key countries (for application code 1, select the subordinate code of G03).
18. Research on Agricultural Policy and Sustainable Agricultural Development (Choose G0311 for application code 1):
(1) Research on the path and strategy of low-carbon smart rural development.
(2) Research on the mechanisms, paths and policies of the ecological protection compensation system to promote sustainable agricultural development.
(3) Research on science and technology policy, technological innovation and sustainable agricultural development.
(4) Research on the priorities of China’s agricultural and food system emission reduction policies under multi-objective coordinated development and its international comparison.
Applications that do not fill in the designated application code 1 as required will not be accepted.
(2) Funding scale
It is planned to fund about 12 cooperative research projects.
(3) Funding intensity
The intensity of Chinese funding is no more than 2 million yuan per project (direct costs), including research funds and international cooperation and exchange funds.
(4) Funding period
The funding period is 5 years, and the research period in the application should be filled in from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029.
2. Applicant conditions
According to the “National Natural Science Foundation of China International (Regional) Collaborative Research Project Management Measures”, application for this project must meet the following conditions:
(1) Applicants should have senior professional and technical positions (professional titles), and as project leaders are currently undertaking or have undertaken National Natural Science Foundation projects of three years or more.
(2) The number of domestic cooperative research units shall not exceed 2.
(3) Both parties have a good foundation for cooperation, and project applications should reflect strong cooperation and complementary advantages.
(4) For detailed instructions on application qualifications, please refer to the “2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide”.
3. Restricted Application Regulations
The National Natural Science Foundation of China’s international (regional) collaborative research projects include inter-organizational international (regional) collaborative research projects and key international (regional) collaborative research projects. This project is a collaborative research project between organizations. Applicants must comply with the following restrictions when applying:
(1) Applicants (excluding major participants) can only apply for one international (regional) cooperative research project in the same year.
(2) Persons in charge of international (regional) cooperative research projects are not allowed to apply for this project as applicants.
(3) Applying as an applicant and undertaking this project as the person in charge will not be included in the total limit of 2 projects applied and undertaken by senior professional and technical positions (professional titles).
(4) Other restrictions on the number of applications in the “2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide”.
4. Declaration instructions
(1) Notes for applicants.
1. Applicants should carefully read the relevant content in this project guide and the “2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide” before filling in the application form. Project applications that do not meet the project guide and relevant requirements will not be accepted.
2. Chinese applicants must log in to the Science Fund Network Information System (https://grants.nsfc.gov.cn) and write the “National Natural Science Foundation of China International (Regional) Cooperative Research Project Application” (hereinafter) in accordance with the writing outline and relevant requirements. (referred to as “Chinese application form”), the specific steps are as follows:
(1) Select the “Project Director” user group to log in to the system, and click “Online Application” to enter the application interface; click the “New Project Application” button to enter the selection interface of the science department to which the application project belongs, and click “Apply for General Science Department Project” “Enter the project category selection interface.
(2) Click the + sign on the left side of “International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Projects” or the “Expand” button on the right side to expand the drop-down menu.
(3) Click the “Fill in Application” button on the right side of “Inter-Organization Cooperation Research (Inter-Organization Cooperation Agreement Project)” to enter the “Cooperation Agreement” selection interface, select “NSFC-CGIAR (International Organization)” in the drop-down menu, and then Enter the approval number of the fund project you want to rely on according to the system requirements. After passing the qualification certification, you will enter the specific Chinese application form filling interface.
3. Budget preparation requirements. Applicants should carefully read the budget preparation requirements in the application regulations of the “2024 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide” and strictly follow the “National Natural Science Foundation of China Fund Management Measures (Caijiao [2021] No. 177)” and the “National Natural Science Foundation of China”. In accordance with the requirements of the “Instructions for Preparation of the Natural Science Foundation Project Fund Budget Table”, the “National Natural Science Foundation Project Fund Budget Table” must be carefully and truthfully prepared.
4. Requirements for filling in the application form. The applicant should first state the name of the research direction targeted by the project at the beginning of the application, such as: [This application targets “main food crops (rice, corn and wheat), tuber crops (sweet potato, cassava and potato), minor crops “Basic research on the mining and genetic improvement of excellent vegetable germplasm resources”. 】.
5. Accessory materials. In addition to filling out and submitting the application form online, applicants must upload the following attachment materials to the “Attachment” column of the application form and submit them together:
(1) Applicants must fill in the English application form (see attachment 1) together with collaborators from relevant centers (research institutes) affiliated to CGIAR.
(2) Both parties must reach an agreement on cooperation content and intellectual property rights and other issues, and sign a cooperation agreement (see attachment 2 for the agreement template).
(2) Acceptance of project applications.
The online application acceptance period of the Science Fund Network Information System is from March 7, 2024 to 16:00 on April 26, 2024.
Note: Applicants are requested to fill out the application in strict compliance with the requirements of this project guide, and remind the science and management department of the host institution to confirm and submit the electronic application before the Science Fund Network Information System closes the online application. Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be accepted. If you have questions, please call the project contact.
5. Notification of proposed approval results
The funding results will be notified through the Science Foundation Network Information System.
6. Project contact person
Contact person: Zhang Le, Rong Nianhe
Tel: +86-10-6232 8404, 6232 6998
Email: zhangle@nsfc.gov.cn, rongnh@nsfc.gov.cn