China's main funder of basic research is making a long-term bet on young scientists. The National Natural Science Foundation of China will support 44 researchers under 35 for 15 years. There will be no short-term performance reviews. "We just need you to settle down and stay in the lab," director Dou Xiankang said on September 19. Nine of the scientists came from overseas, and more than 30 from within China.
The funding grows over time, doubling after the first five years and again after the next five. The foundation has not disclosed how large the new grants are. The scheme is open to men under 35 and women under 38. Applicants do not need to be working in China when they apply. Dou said that Chinese students abroad used to stay overseas in most cases, but returns have surged. Last year, the number returning matched the number leaving. He also called the risk of a split from major developed countries a major uncertainty for Chinese science.