In a significant move to bolster its scientific capabilities, the Chinese mainland is substantially increasing government funding for basic scientific research for 2026. According to the newly released annual budget of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the focus remains firmly on fundamental research as a cornerstone for future innovation.
The budget for the Natural Science Fund category is set at 41.86 billion yuan (approximately $6.15 billion) for 2026. This represents an increase of 2.4 billion yuan over the 2025 spending levels, marking a year-on-year growth of 6.09%. This uptick reflects a strategic commitment by the central government to strengthen the foundations of scientific inquiry.
Basic research is slated to receive the lion's share of the foundation's resources. Under the functional budget classification system, allocations for the Natural Science Fund category will account for 81.71% of the NSFC's total general public budget expenditure in 2026.
The funding is designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, supporting 18 distinct categories of scientific programs. These include general research projects, youth science fund programs, regional science funds, and innovation research groups, ensuring that talent is nurtured at every stage of a researcher's career.
Established in February 1986, the NSFC has evolved into a primary channel for national funding of basic research. Over its 40-year history, the foundation has funded approximately 880,000 projects with a total investment of 460.8 billion yuan (about $66.7 billion), supporting around 4.8 million participant researchers. This sustained investment underscores the region's long-term vision of becoming a global leader in science and technology.
Reference(s):
China boosts 2026 science funding, focusing on basic research
cgtn.com
