(Reported by Tang Xi)To comprehensively deploy and solidly advance the application work for the 2026 National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) projects, the School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy held an application mobilization meeting on the afternoon of September 11 in the Lecture Hall 610 of the Chemical Engineering Building. Chen Xuyong, Dean of the Academy of Science and Technology Development, and Guo Qin, Vice Dean and Director of the Division of Basic Research and High-Tech, attended the meeting to provide guidance. School leadership members, along with all eligible faculty members and postdoctoral researchers, participated in the meeting, which was chaired by Xiong Qingang, Dean of the School.
The meeting aimed to deeply analyze the current situation, clarify objectives and requirements, and systematically plan and arrange the application work for the next stage, striving for breakthrough progress in the upcoming application cycle.
]Dean Chen Xuyong emphasized the crucial role of national-level research projects in promoting the university's discipline development and advancing faculty members' professional growth. He offered three guiding suggestions for the 2026 application work:
Adhere to the principle of “all who are eligible should apply”: All eligible faculty members are required to enhance their sense of urgency and competitiveness, actively participate in the application process, and use this opportunity to improve their research capabilities and standards.
Strengthen research team development: Optimize the structure of the talent pool, promote the formation of efficient and closely collaborative research teams, deepen teamwork, carry out organized research activities, and lay a solid foundation for cultivating major research achievements.
Grasp the critical timelines: Emphasize early planning and initiation, diligently oversee key steps such as format checks, content review, and quality refinement of application proposals to ensure efficient and orderly progress, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of applications.
Vice Dean Guo Qin provided a comprehensive overview and in-depth analysis of the university’s overall application and funding outcomes for the 2025 NSFC cycle, acknowledging achievements while also objectively pointing out existing shortcomings. Interpreting the latest dynamics from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, she analyzed the new landscape, policies, and requirements currently facing application work. She guided applying faculty to closely monitor policy changes, plan their time scientifically, and complete the writing, revision, and refinement of their application proposals to high standards and quality.
School Party Committee Secretary Yang Haibo summarized the School's application and funding outcomes for the 2025 NSFC cycle systematically, analyzed existing shortcomings, and put forward six specific requirements for the 2026 application work:
Deepen talent recruitment and cultivation: Mobilize the entire School’s efforts to precisely recruit high-level talents and outstanding young scholars, implement "individualized" follow-up cultivation plans, and strengthen talent echelon development.
Strengthen team building: Implement categorized management of research teams, explore the signing of “tripartite agreements,” and build a community for shared development.
Consolidate research foundation: Encourage the production of high-level representative academic achievements and continuously enhance core research competitiveness.
Foster an academic atmosphere: Regularly organize high-end academic forums, employ diverse methods such as “inviting experts in”and “going out”to facilitate academic exchanges and expand academic influence.
Meticulously organize applications: Treat the application work as a “top-leader project,” clarify responsibilities at all levels, and ensure all arrangements are effectively implemented.
Improve work style: Continuously stimulate faculty’s internal motivation, using an excellent work ethic to guarantee and promote high-quality discipline development.
School Vice Dean Gu Shuangxi conducted a detailed analysis based on the School's NSFC application data, funding rates, and team funding situations over the past five years. He provided an in-depth examination of the problems, causes, and challenges in the application work. Building on this analysis, he made meticulous arrangements for the School's 2026 NSFC application work. He encouraged all faculty to strengthen their confidence, prepare early, focus on accumulation, continuously improve their research strength and core competitiveness, and strive for excellent results in the coming year.
This mobilization meeting clarified the "timetable," "roadmap," and "task list" for the School's 2026 NSFC application work. The School will next take various effective measures to fully support the smooth progress of the application work and the continuous improvement of application quality, using high-level research project applications and funding success to strongly propel the university's first-class discipline construction. (Reviewed by Yang Haibo and Gu Shuangxi)
