2026 NSFC Major Research Plan – AI, Quantum, and Other Areas

2026 NSFC Major Research Plan – AI, Quantum, and Other Areas

2026年度国家自然科学基金重大研究计划

January 30, 2026

About:

NSFC posted 17 programs under “Major Research Plan” in different areas. Below please find a brief summary. For more details, please refer to the official announcements. 

Funding Programs:

  1. Major Research Plan on Interpretable and Generalizable Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence Methods 可解释、可通用的下一代人工智能方法重大研究计划
  • Funding Directions:
    • Key Support Projects:
      • Deep Neural Networks with Embedded Geometric Symmetry Priors
      • Agent-driven Multimodal Full-process Data Governance Platform
      • Generative Modeling and Scientific Computing under High dimensional Complex Physical Constraints
      • Extreme-scale Scientific Imaging Fusing Physics and Artificial Intelligence
      • Deep Learning-based Quantum Many-body Computation
      • Artificial Intelligence-accelerated Optimization and Design of Stellarators
      • Design Platform for Biological Components Enduring Extreme Environments
    • Integrated Projects:
      • Theoretical Framework for Dynamic Mechanisms of Deep Neural Networks and New Architecture Design.
      • Theory and Key Technologies of World Models Consistent with Physical Laws.
      • Perception-Decision Synergistic Multimodal Pathology Foundation Models and Applications for All Disease Categories.
      • Intelligent Foundations and Applications for the R&D of High-end Engineering Equipment in Aerospace Engines.

  • Funding Plan:

    Approximately 5 Key Support Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 2 million RMB per project and a duration of 3 years. The research period in the application for Key Support Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    Approximately 4 Integrated Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity ranging from 3 million to 5 million RMB per project and a duration of 3 years. The research period in the application for Integrated Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

Please refer to the offiicial announcement for more details. 

  1. Major Research Plan on Efficient Material Transformation through Natural-Artificial Fusion 自然-人工融合高效物质转化的科学基础重大研究计划 
  • Funding Directions:
    • Fostering Project:
      • Novel Methods and Technologies for In Situ Dynamic Analysis of Biomaterial Transformation Processes
      • New Mechanisms and Theories for Cross-Scale Energy and Matter Transport
      • Novel Systems for Efficient Matter Transformation via Natural-Artificial Integration
    • Key Support Project:
      • In Situ Panoramic Analysis and Simulation of Biological Energy Factories
      • Precise Analysis and Regulation of Transmembrane Energy and Electron Transfer
      • Efficient Transformation of Small Resource Molecules via Enzyme Catalysis
      • Natural-Artificial Integrated Systems Empowering the Synthesis of Complex Drug Molecules
      • Natural-Artificial Integrated Systems Empowering Green Intelligent Manufacturing of Clean Energy

  • Funding Scale:

    Approximately 25 Fostering Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 600,000 RMB per project and a funding duration of 3 years. The research period in the Fostering Project application should be filled as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    Approximately 8 Key Support Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 2.8 million RMB per project and a funding duration of 4 years. The research period in the Key Support Project application should be filled as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2030."

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Fundamental Research for Intelligent Software Oriented towards Human-Cyber-Physical Convergence 面向人机物融合的智能化软件基础研究重大研究计划
  • Funding Directions:
    • Fostering Projects:
      • Mathematical and Behavioral Science Foundations of Intelligent Software for Human-Cyber-Physical Convergence
      • Neuro-Symbolic Integration Software Theory Driven by the Synergy of Logical Deduction and Data Induction
      • Principles and Construction Methods of Ubiquitous Operating Systems for Intelligent Software
      • Industrial Software Modeling Principles and Development Methods Based on Intelligent Software Paradigms
      • Open Source Software Ecosystem Theory, Technology, and Strategy
    • Key Support Project:
      • Integrated Modeling, Analysis, and Design Methods for Human-Cyber-Physical Complex Systems
      • New Programming Mechanisms, Languages, and Systems via Natural Language-Formal Language Synergy
      • Formal Verification Theory and Methods for Neuro-Symbolic Integrated Software Systems
      • Architectural Models and Construction Methods for Agent-based Intelligent Software Integrating Domain Knowledge
      • Software-Hardware Co-design Methods and Multi-kernel Models of Ubiquitous Operating Systems for Edge Computing
      • Software-Defined Universal Resource Management Models and Efficient Interoperability Technologies
      • Construction Methods and Key Technologies for Integrated "Sensing-Connection-Perception-Control" Industrial Operating Systems
      • Driver Code Synthesis and Evolution Technologies for Embodied Intelligence Operating Systems
      • Automated Programming Support Technologies and Development Platforms for Industrial Software in Flexible Manufacturing
      • Agile Delivery Methods and Key Technologies for Ultra-Large-Scale CAE Software Driven by Knowledge-Data Synergy
      • Restructuring and Continuous Evolution of High-End Equipment Software Assets for Intelligent Software Paradigms
      • Crowdsourced Paradigm Support Technologies and Platforms for the Growth and Evolution of Intelligent Software Ecosystems
      • Secure Interoperability and Reliable Transformation Methods and Technologies for Heterogeneous Programming Languages

  • Funding Scale:

    Approximately 25 Fostering Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 600,000 RMB per project and a duration of 3 years; the research period in the application should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    Approximately 12 Key Support Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 2.8 million RMB per project and a duration of 4 years; the research period in the application should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2030."

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Scientific Foundations of Surfaces and Interfaces Oriented towards Future Technologies 面向未来技术的表界面科学基础重大研究计划
  • Funding Directions:
    • Fostering Projects:
      • New Technologies for Precision Interface Probing
      • New Theories for Accurate Interface Computation
      • New Methods for Precise Interface Construction
    • Key Support Projects:
      • Precision Simulation and Intelligent Prediction of Atomic Structures at Catalytic Surfaces and Interfaces
      • In Situ Dynamic Catalytic Mechanisms and New Processes for Inert Small Molecule Transformation at Surfaces and Interfaces
      • Structural Design and Intelligent Simulation of Semiconductor Surfaces and Interfaces under Operando Conditions
      • Ultra-sensitive Surface and Interface Probing Technologies Based on Quantum Sensing
      • In Situ Probing and Regulation of Interface Electronic Structures
      • Regulation of Interface Electron-Phonon Coupling for Flexible Thermoelectric Devices
      • Multi-field Coupling Regulation at Ionic Photoelectric Semiconductor Interfaces
      • Spin Information Devices Based on Semiconductor Magnetic Heterojunctions
    • Integrated Projects:
      • Surface and Interface Science for Integrated CircuitsResearch on Surfaces and Interfaces of Low-Dimensional Semiconductors for Large-Scale Integrated Circuits
      • Atomic-Level Construction of Metal-Low-Dimensional Semiconductor Ohmic Contact Interfaces
      • Precision Regulation of Gate Dielectric-Low-Dimensional Semiconductor Interfaces
      • Development of Large-Scale Carbon-Based Integrated Circuits

  • Funding Plan:

    Approximately 12 Fostering Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 600,000 RMB per project and a duration of 3 years. The research period in the application for Fostering Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    Approximately 6 Key Support Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 2.8 million RMB per project and a duration of 4 years. The research period in the application for Key Support Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2030."s "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    1 Integrated Project is planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 15 million RMB and a duration of 4 years. The research period in the application for the Integrated Project should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2030."

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on High-Precision Quantum Manipulation and Detection 高精度量子操控与探测重大研究计划
  • Funding Directions:
    • Fostering Projects:
      • New Principles and Methods for Quantum Enhancement
      • High-Precision Quantum Manipulation and Detection in Quantum Information Technology
      • Quantum Manipulation and Detection Technologies Beyond Classical Limits
    • Key Support Project:
      • Preparation and Manipulation of Non-classical States in Optical and Atomic Systems
      • Precision Measurement of Wave Functions
      • Theory and Experiment on Control of Cold Molecule Collision Dynamics under External Fields
      • Entanglement-enhanced Quantum Precision Measurement Technology and Applications
      • Design and Construction of Real-time Quantum Error Correction Systems for Quantum Computing
      • New Optical Clock Technologies
      • Key Technologies for Nuclear Optical Clocks
      • Applications of Quantum Measurement in Inertial Sensing, Gravitational Measurement, and Gravitational Wave Astronomy
      • Applications of Quantum Precision Measurement in Remote Sensing Technology
      • Applications of Quantum Precision Gravity Measurement in Earthquake Prevention and Disaster Mitigation
      • Applications of Quantum Precision Measurement in Biomedicine and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)

  • Funding Scale:

    Approximately 18 Fostering Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 600,000 RMB per project and a duration of 3 years. The research period in the application for Fostering Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029."

    Approximately 8 Key Support Projects are planned for funding, with a direct cost intensity of approximately 2.8 million RMB per project and a duration of 4 years. The research period in the application for Key Support Projects should be specified as "January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2030."

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Evolution and Critical Processes of Coastal Complex Systems 海岸带复杂系统演变与临界过程重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Mechanisms of Cell Cluster Formation and Regulation 细胞集群形成与调控机制重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Fundamental Scientific Issues of Extreme Flow and Heat Transfer during Planetary Atmospheric Entry 进入行星大气极端流动与传热基础科学问题重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Deep-Seated Driving Mechanisms of Earth's Habitability 地球宜居性的深部驱动机制重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on RNA Fundamental Research Empowering Drug Innovation 赋能药物创新的RNA基础研究重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Deciphering the Glycan Code of Life 破译生命的糖质密码重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Digital Decoding of Immunity 免疫力数字解码重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Fundamental Research of Atomic-Level Manufacturing 原子级制造基础研究重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Scientific Foundations of Frontier Technologies for Integrated Chips 集成芯片前沿技术科学基础重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Scientific Foundations and Control Mechanisms of Efficient Flight in Multi-Physical Fields 多物理场高效飞行科学基础与调控机理重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on Beyond-Traditional Battery Systems 超越传统的电池体系重大研究计划

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.

  1. Major Research Plan on the Scientific Foundations of Critical Metal Metallurgy 关键金属冶金的科学基础重大研究计划

    Please refer to the offiicial announcement for more details.

Eligibility:

  1. Applicants must hold a senior professional technical position (title). 
  2. For Fostering Projects and Key Support Projects, the number of collaborating institutions must not exceed two; for Integrated Projects, the number of collaborating institutions must not exceed four. The primary participants of an Integrated Project must be actual contributors to the project, and the total number of participants shall not exceed nine.
  3. Refer to the 2026 NSFC Program Guide for more requirements regarding the limit on the number of applications.

Important Dates:

DATES (Shanghai Time)TO BE COMPLETED
By February 6, 2026Faculty who intend to apply should notify us at shanghai.researchgrants@nyu.edu.
By February 24, 2026Please send your applications to us for an institutional review.
By 4PM March 16, 2026Finalize and submit your application through the NSFC online system.
Status
Closed