2024-07-20I. INTRODUCTION OF THE PROGRAM
National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (Overseas) aims to attract and encourage overseas outstanding young scholars (including non-ethnic Chinese foreign talents) who have achieved commendable results in natural sciences and engineering technology. This program provides opportunities for them to return to (or come to) China to independently choose research directions and conduct innovative research. This initiative helps to promote the rapid development of young scientific and technological talents, cultivate a group of outstanding academic backbones who are expected to enter the forefront of world science and technology, and contribute to the construction of a scientifically and technologically strong nation.
i. Funding Model:
1. Funding Amount: RMB 1,000,000 to 3,000,000.
2. Funding Duration: 3 years.
ii. Restriction Requirements:
The program shall comply with the central authorities’ directives on the coordination and connection of national science and technology talent plans. Researchers can only undertake one project at the same level and are not allowed to apply for projects at lower levels.
iii. Applicant Requirements
1. Adherence to the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, possession of sound scientific ethics, and active embodiment of the spirit of scientists in the new era;
2. Date of birth on or after January 1, 1984.
3. Applicant should hold a doctoral degree;
4. The main field of research should be in natural sciences and engineering technology;
5. By April 15, 2024, applicants should generally have acquired a formal academic or research position at overseas universities, research institutes, or corporate R&D organizations, with at least 36 continuous months of work experience; for those who obtained their doctorates abroad and have exceptionally outstanding achievements, the work experience requirement may be accordingly relaxed.
6. The applicant should have achieved research or technological outcomes recognized by peers and possessed the potential to become a leading academic figure or a distinguished talent in their field.
7. The applicant has not yet taken up full-time employment in China or has started working in China full-time after January 1, 2023. Upon receiving the grant notification, the applicant must resign from their overseas employment or have no job abroad and must work full-time in China for a minimum of three years.
II. ABOUT US
i. Rich Historical Background and a Wealth of Educational Resources
Henan Normal University (HNU) traces its roots back to the Science Department of Zhongzhou University, which was established in 1923 (the precursor to National Henan University), and Pingyuan Normal College, which was founded in 1951. It has undergone various transformations, including being known as the Second Division of Henan Normal College, Henan Second Normal College and Xinxiang Normal College, before being officially renamed Henan Normal
University in 1985. HNU has a history of 100 years.
ii. Wide Range of Disciplines and Well-Established Training System.
HNU now has 11 major academic fields such as Philosophy, Economics, Law, Education, Literature, History, Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Management, and Art. The university consists of 25 colleges, 4 academies, and 1 modern industrial college, offering 89 undergraduate majors. Among them, 34 are National First-class Undergraduate Major Construction Points and 23 are Provincial First-class Undergraduate Major Construction Pointss. It also provides 32 disciplines with master’s degree authorization, 23 types of master’s professional degrees, 10 disciplines with doctoral degree authorization, and 1 doctoral professional degree category. There are 7 postdoctoral research stations, serving more than 75,000 students. The university has 2 National Discipline Innovation and Talent Introduction Bases (“111 Plan”), 4 Provincial Characteristic Backbone A-Level Disciplines, 1 Provincial Specially -Needed and Urgently-Needed Characteristic Backbone Discipline (Group), and 28 Provincial First-Class Key Disciplines. Five subjects, including Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental/Ecological Sciences and Plant & Animal Science rank in the top 1% globally according to ESI. Additionally, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Physics have consistently ranked in the top 100 mainland Chinese institutions in the Nature Index for their respective fields.
iii. Strong Faculty and Outstanding Talents
Since its establishment, Renowned scholars such as Cao Liqing, Hao Xiangwu, Sun Xiangzheng, Zhao Xinwu, Zhao Jibin, Li Junfu, Yao Conggong, Wei Mingchu, Fan Yingchuan, Du Mengmo, Sun Zuoyun,
Huang Dunci, Xu Mengying, and Lu Jinsuo have taught and conducted research in HNU. In recent years, HNU has attracted influential experts and scholars like Wang Jianji, Lu Gongru, Xu Cunshuan, Guo Zongming, and Chang Junbiao, etc. Currently, the university has over 3,000 staff members, including more than 200 high-level talents both nationally and provincially. It also has 2 Ministry of Education innovation teams, 3 national-level distinguished teachers, 2 national teaching teams, 1 National National Huang Danian style teacher team in universities and 1 recipient of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation award.
iv. Outstanding Results in Moral Education and Student Cultivation.
HNU actively participates in national initiatives such as National Excellent Teacher Development Program, National College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program, and National Excellent Agriculture and Forestry Talent Education and Training Program. The university has 4 national and 10 provincial-level experimental teaching demonstration centers, 3 national and 37 provincial-level virtual simulation teaching projects, 1 national pilot virtual teaching research office. In the past five sessions, it has received 101 national undergraduate teaching project grants and 11 national teaching achievement awards, playing an increasingly leading and demonstrative role of teacher education reform in Henan Province.
v. Sticking to Scientific and Technological Innovation, Making Significant Contributions to Social Services
HNU has established 61 provincial and national-level research platforms, including National Key Laboratory, Henan Provincial Laboratory, National&Local Joint Engineering Laboratory, etc. In recent years, the university has led and participated in 2,674 major projects funded by National Key Research and Development Program of China, Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation, Key Program of National Social Science Foundation, National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, National Science Foundation for Excellent Young Scholars and other scientific research projects. The university has received 230 prestigious awards, such as National Award for Excellence in Innovation, China Patent Gold Award, Second Prize of National Natural Science Award, Second Prize of National Science, Technology Progress Award, etc. HNU has been approved for 3 new provincial high-level think tanks, 1 experimental laboratory for philosophy and social sciences, and has been granted 2,318 invention patents. It has published 735 academic works and textbooks, and has released a significant number of high-level academic papers in top international journals such as Nature, Science, PNAS, JACS, and ANGEW. In 2021, Azvudine, as a homegrown oral pill, was first conditionally approved for Class 1 new drug to treat COVID-19.
An Open Education Policy and International Cooperation
By actively participating in the “Belt and Road” educational initiative, HNU promotes high-quality international collaboration and cultural exchange. It has established long-term partnerships with over 70 prestigious institutions from countries such as the USA, Russia, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Belarus, Japan, and South Korea. HNU offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate joint programs. One notable initiative is the “Sino-Russian University Alliance of Culture and Arts”, created in collaboration with seven domestic universities and approved by both governments. The university also has joint education program with the University of Wisconsin (USA), the University of Perpignan (France), and the Belarusian State University of Physical Education. Additionally, it has established the “Sino-French Joint Institute” with the University of Perpignan and the “International Football Education Institute” with the Royal Dutch Football Association. Moreover, HNU has set up a Confucius Institute with Pakistan’s Sargodha University and Confucius Classrooms with Pakistan’s Millennium Education Group and Thailand’s Xingmin School.
II. SUPPORT POLICY
i. University Level
1. Annual salary of RMB 700,000;
2. Relocation allowance: RMB 1,200,000;
3. Research funding: RMB 5-10 million;
4. Provision of necessary laboratory facilities; one laboratory assistant; an academic team of 2-4 members with advanced titles or PhD degrees;
5. Direct appointment as a doctoral supervisor with an allocated quota for student admission;
6. Assistance with employment for spouse and schooling for children.
ii. Henan Provincial Level
1. Provide matching rewards and research funding support on a 1:1 basis according to national talent subsidy standards for outstanding individuals.
2. Offer a settlement subsidy of RMB 200,000 for postdoctoral researchers who are new to Henan or who come to work in Henan.
3. Actively recommend provincial talent recognition and enjoy related benefits such as reward subsidies, medical insurance, children’s schooling, going abroad and residence convenience.
IV. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Applicants who meet the requirements and are interested should send their resumes to the email of the High-level Talent Service Office of the Human Resources Department of HNU, with a copy to the Science and Technology Department’s Science and Technology Planning Division. Please mark the subject as “Intention to Apply for Excellent Young Scholars (Overseas)”. HNU will designate a liaison to follow up with the applicants regarding subsequent procedures.
2. Qualified applicants must subsequently sign an employment contract or a letter of intent with HNU.
V. CONTACT INFORMATION
i. For inquiries about the application and the signing of the letter of intent, please contact the High-level Talent Service Office at the Human Resources Department of Henan Normal University
Contact person: Mr. Zhang;
Phone: (+86)0373-3326233;
Email: zhanghaozheng2008@163.com
ii. For specific inquiries about project applications, please contact the Science and Technology Plan Section at the Science and Technology Department of Henan Normal University
Contact person: Mr. He;
Phone: (+86)0373-3326211;
Email：2017014@htu.edu.cn
