On December 4, 2025, the Human Resources Department organized the seventh "Guiding Horizon" International Faculty Salon at the Chinese-Western Bookstore on the Zijingang Campus. Focused on research funding opportunities and application strategies for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the event attracted about 30 international faculty members from over 12 countries, continuing ZJU's commitment to supporting global scholars in navigating China's research ecosystem.
In his opening address, Dr. ZHAN Qiwei,Deputy Director of the HR Department underscored the university's strategic focus on enhancing the research capabilities of its international faculty. He emphasized that a thorough understanding of domestic funding mechanisms is essential for academic success at ZJU, and he stated that the seventh salon aimed to clarify the NSFC process through proven, practical strategies.
Dr. JIANG Mingkai, from the Scitech Research Department, delivered a comprehensive overview and key updates on NSFC funding frameworks. His detailed presentation covered the spectrum of research projects open to international scholars—including General, Key, and Major Project applications, Talent Programs, especially Commercial and International Cooperation Projects—concluding with practical suggestions for prospective applicants.
The seminar featured insightful presentations from experienced international faculty. Prof. Gentaro Watanabe from the College of Physics shared effective strategies based on his record of securing three consecutive NSFC General Program grants, focusing on critical evaluation criteria such as originality, impact, and feasibility. Dr. Kumar from the College of Electrical Engineering provided a detailed, practical guide on crafting compelling grant applications, drawing from his personal experience and emphasizing collaborative support structures. Dr. Frellesvig from the College of Physics offered tailored guidance for foreign researchers in his presentation, "Navigating NSFC Applications as an International Scholar." He shared insights from his successful application to a competitive NSFC program and provided advice on creating effective evaluation materials, including presentation videos.
Subsequent interactive Q&A sessions addressed pertinent topics such as application timelines, interdisciplinary categorization, and language requirements.
The event concluded with highly positive feedback, as attendees valued the practical, experience-driven insights that supplemented official guidelines. The shared success stories rendered the application process more accessible. The HR Department announced that future "Guiding Horizon" salons would explore interdisciplinary collaboration and career development pathways for international scholars.
