On September 8th, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) released the results of the projects presented for review. At the same time, the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences unveiled the list of annual projects and youth projects approved by the National Social Science Fund (NSSF) for the year 2022. According to the statistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has set records both in terms of funds and projects.

The data released by the NSFC shows that SJTU has received 1,331 grants for various natural science projects, setting a new record, and direct funding worth 751 million yuan, an increase of 4.45% over 719 million yuan of the same period last year. Among them, there are 642 general projects, 34 key projects, 3 key international (regional) cooperative projects, 602 youth science fund projects, 15 outstanding youth science fund projects, 18 outstanding youth science fund projects, 1 innovative research group, and 7 foreign scholar research fund projects (including 3 foreign outstanding young scholar research fund projects and 4 foreign senior scholar research fund projects). The recommended instrument projects and joint funds are under review or approval.

In 2022, the NSFC funded 20,472 general projects, 761 key projects, 79 key international (regional) cooperative research projects, 22,262 youth science fund projects, 630 outstanding youth science fund projects, 25 outstanding youth science fund projects (Hong Kong and Macao), 415 national outstanding youth science fund projects, 43 innovative research group projects and 109 research fund projects for foreign scholars (including 49 research fund projects for foreign outstanding young scholars and 60 research fund projects for foreign senior scholars). A total of 51 projects of SJTU were selected, including 35 annual projects (7 key projects and 28 general projects) and 16 youth projects. The total number of SJTU projects proposed to be approved is the same as that of Xiamen University, making the two tied for third place among the universities across the country, setting a new record.

In recent years, SJTU has worked on an innovation-driven development strategy and adapted to the policy reform of the NSFC. On one hand, SJTU has deepened the reform of the scientific research management system and focused on strengthening organized scientific research and improving the ability of original innovation. On the other hand, SJTU has taken an overall approach to fund management in the new era, significantly enhancing the guidance and cultivation of young scientists, and aligning scientific research topics with national strategic needs and cutting-edge scientific issues. SJTU has always made an effort to present better projects and ensure that they are forward-looking and original as the priority of its work for the science fund, to contribute to new achievements and breakthroughs in China’s endeavors in science and technology.

As the highest-level scientific research programme in the field of philosophy and social sciences in China, the NSSF has wide coverage, great influence, and strong authority, and has received significant attention from the academic community. Project approvals from the NSSF have become an important manifestation of scientific research and comprehensive strength in philosophy and social sciences for colleges and universities across China. SJTU has laid a solid emphasis on the application for projects to be funded by the NSSF. For the application of annual and youth projects in 2022 for the NSSF, SJTU has set up a task group headed by one of the executive leaders to enhance the top-level design, improve policy supply, strengthen organized scientific research, increase coordination and communication between the SJTU and school levels, and take the application for projects to be approved by the NSSF as the driving force, to promote the overall development of the talent team and academic disciplines of the liberal arts schools and departments. All liberal arts schools and departments have fully tapped the scientific research potential, strengthened the guidance on topic selection and the argumentation for proposed projects, increased the awareness of potential issues, enhanced team building, and boosted the ability of scientific research, which led to exciting achievements.