Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is inviting young talent from around the world to apply for a newly launched round of the 2025 Excellent Young Scholars Fund (Overseas).

The program, launched by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, aims to attract promising overseas scholars with notable achievements in natural sciences or engineering. Successful applicants will have the flexibility to choose their research direction, pursue innovative projects, and develop into academic leaders at the forefront of global science and technology.

The fund provides support from 1 million yuan to 3 million yuan ($137,000 to $411,000) over three years. Scholars are encouraged to carry out research in fields such as biomedicine, artificial intelligence, life sciences and bioengineering, advanced materials, synthetic chemistry, and other related interdisciplinary areas.

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has pledged full support for applicants throughout the process and warmly welcomes overseas talents to join its research community.

Eligibility

• Born on or after Jan 1, 1985.
• Hold a doctoral degree.
• Specialize in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields.
• Have held a formal teaching or research position at an overseas university, research institute, or corporate R&D center for at least 36 consecutive months following the completion of their doctoral degree, before Sept 15, 2025. Applicants with exceptional achievements and a doctoral degree earned abroad may qualify for a reduction in the required work experience (excluding those who earned the degree through joint programs with Chinese institutions). For applicants who hold a paid position in the Chinese mainland while working overseas, the time spent in domestic employment will not count toward the required overseas work experience.
• Applicants must have recognized research or technological achievements and show strong potential to become a leading or outstanding talent in their field.

Applicants should not have taken up full-time employment in China, except for those who have been working in China since Jan 1, 2024. Upon funding approval, applicants should resign from their overseas positions and commit to full-time work in China for at least three years.

Application limits

Applicants may only take part in one national talent program at the same level and are not permitted to apply for a lower-level program.

Those who applied for the 2025 Excellent Young Scholars Fund (Overseas) in the first half but were ineligible due to timing, and now meet the updated criteria, may reapply in the new round. Other applicants may not submit duplicate applications.

Anyone who has already applied for another national talent program at the same level in 2025 is not eligible to apply for this round.

Contact

Applicants are invited to send their CVs in both Chinese and English to the email address below. The CV should include personal details, contact information, research field and direction, education, and work experience, as well as key academic achievements such as publications, projects, patents, and awards.

Email subject format: "Application for 2025 Excellent Young Scholars Fund (Overseas) (New Round) – Name – Current Institution/Position".

Phone: 021-5132-2526

Email: tcm_rsc@shutcm.edu.cn

Source: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine