NSFC Special Program for "Basic Research on the Theory and Technology of the Metaverse” (Phase II)

NSFC Special Program for "Basic Research on the Theory and Technology of the Metaverse” (Phase II)
国家自然科学基金委员会“元宇宙理论与技术基础研究”专项项目（第II期）

October 30, 2024

The Official Announcement in Chinese

Sponsor:
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

About:
This special program is oriented to the frontier direction of metaverse, exploring new scientific research paradigms and related theories and technologies, and trying to seek original breakthroughs in efficient data processing, immersive perception simulation, uncertainty quantification, three-dimensional generation and presentation, embodied behavior interaction, industrial metaverse applications, etc., so as to provide basic theories and key technology support for the development of the metaverse industry.

Funding Areas:
Below please find seven research directions the program is aiming to fund:

1. Research on complex data processing and efficient computing methods in the metaverse 元宇宙中复杂数据处理与高效计算方法
2. Research on metaverse-oriented embodied intelligent and physical simulation面向元宇宙的多源沉浸感知与物理仿真
3. Research on uncertainty quantification and online updating of metaverse models元宇宙模型的不确定性量化与在线更新
4. Research on three-dimensional generation and presentation technology of metaverse virtual-real fusion space元宇宙虚实融合空间三维生成与呈现技术
5. Research on the construction of multi-scale world model of the metaverse and embodied behavior interaction technology 元宇宙多尺度世界模型构建与具身行为交互技术
6. Research on the collaboration mechanism of multi-intelligent bodies in the metaverse元宇宙中多智能体协作机制
7. Research on the implementation and application of industrial metaverse工业元宇宙实现与应用

Please refer to the official announcement for more details about each research direction.

Funding Amount and Period:
NSFC plans to fund ten projects in total, with a funding amount of 500,000 RMB per project. The funding period is one year, from January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants should have basic research experience
• Each applicant must be a senior professional title holder (高级专业技术职务/职称). Postdoctoral researchers, graduate students who still pursuing degrees and the personnel without host institution are not allowed to apply.
• The program is NOT counted as one of the two projects in total applied or led by the same PI.
• Applicants and major participants can only apply for or participate in one application of this special project in the same year.
• The applicant can only apply for one special program in the same year.

Application:

• Select "专项项目" (Special Program) for the category of projects to be funded in the application form, select “研究项目"(Research Projects) for the description of subcategories, and fill in "科学部综合研究项目" (Comprehensive Research Projects of the Ministry of Science) for the description of notes. For all project application code 1, select an application code under F02 and F06 of the Information Science Department according to the requirements of each research direction. Applications with inaccurate or unselected choices will NOT be accepted.
• Please write your proposal in accordance with the "Proposal Outline for Special Programs - Research Projects", and indicate "元宇宙理论与技术基础研究：XXX (fill in one of the seven research directions to be funded)" at the beginning of the proposal.
• Applicants should come up with their own project titles, scientific objectives, research contents, key scientific issues, technical routes, budget plan, etc., in accordance with the funded research directions and core scientific questions to be solved as announced in the project guidelines.
• If the applicant has undertaken any other research programs related to this special program, the applicant shall specify the differences and connections between the application and other related programs in the "Research Basis and Working Conditions" part of the proposal.
   

Please refer to the official announcement for more details.
 

Important Dates: