I. Overview of Ningbo University Ningbo University is an emerging local comprehensive university that has grown in the era of reform and opening up. It is a national "Double First-Class" initiative university, jointly built by Zhejiang Province, the Ministry of Education, and the city of Ningbo, and co-established by the State Oceanic Administration and the city of Ningbo. It is among the first batch of key universities prioritized for development in Zhejiang Province. The university offers 11 disciplines including economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, management, and art, comprising 25 schools, 10 university-level research institutions, and 3 directly affiliated hospitals. According to ESI data, 10 disciplines including engineering, clinical medicine, chemistry, materials science, plant and animal science, agricultural science, environmental science and ecology, pharmacology and toxicology, biology and biochemistry, and computer science rank within the top 1% of academic institutions worldwide. The university has 7 first-class A-category disciplines and 6 first-class B-category disciplines at the provincial level. Currently, there are 9 doctoral programs, 3 postdoctoral research stations, 31 master's degree programs, 25 types of master's professional degrees, and 59 undergraduate majors.

II. Project Introduction To further improve the scientific foundation talent funding system, maximize the role of the science fund in introducing and nurturing talents, and attract outstanding young scholars from overseas to work in China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (hereinafter referred to as NSFC) established the National Natural Science Foundation Outstanding Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) starting from 2021.

The Outstanding Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) aims to attract and encourage overseas young scholars (including non-Chinese foreign talents) who have achieved good results in natural sciences, engineering technology, etc., to return to (or come to) China for work. It supports them in independently choosing their research direction to carry out innovative research, promotes the rapid growth of young scientific and technical talents, and cultivates a group of outstanding academic leaders expected to enter the forefront of world science and technology, contributing to the construction of a powerful country in science and technology.

III. National Funding

1. Funding intensity: 1-3 million yuan.

2. Funding period: 3 years.

IV. Application Conditions, Restrictions, and Application Instructions (A) Application Conditions

1. Comply with the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, have good scientific ethics, and consciously practice the spirit of scientists in the new era;

2. Born on or after January 1, 1983;

3. Hold a doctoral degree;

4. Main research areas include natural sciences, engineering technology, etc.;

5. After obtaining a doctoral degree and before March 15, 2023, applicants should generally have held formal teaching or research positions in overseas universities, research institutions, or corporate R&D institutions, with at least 36 consecutive months of work experience; those with outstanding achievements and doctoral degrees obtained overseas may have their work experience requirement appropriately relaxed;

6. Have obtained research or technological achievements recognized by peers and possess the potential to become leading academics or outstanding talents in their field;

7. Applicants must not have returned to (or come to) China for full-time work yet, or have returned (or come) to China for work after January 1, 2022. Upon receiving funding notification, applicants must resign from their overseas employment or have no overseas employment and return to (or come to) China for full-time work for no less than 3 years. (B) Restriction Requirements Follow the requirements of the central departments regarding the coordination and connection of national science and technology talent plans. One can only undertake one project at the same level and cannot apply for projects at a lower level. (C) Application Instructions

8. Eligible applicants should sign a work contract or an intent agreement with their host institution according to the project guidelines, log in to the information system//grants.nsfc.gov.cn/after January 15, 2023, and fill in the "National Natural Science Foundation Outstanding Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) Application Form" (hereinafter referred to as the application form) online. Applicants are responsible for the authenticity of the submitted application materials.

9. Applicants should fill in the application form online in simplified Chinese or English according to the instructions and writing outline provided in the application form, and upload attachments and other materials.

10. The Outstanding Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) implements a paperless application process. Applicants submit electronic application forms and attachments, statements of fairness, and other materials online to their host institutions, which are then reviewed by the host institutions and submitted online to the NSFC.

V. University Position and Compensation (A) Appointment Position Leading academic talents (A3) will be introduced and appointed directly to senior professional titles. (B) Salary and Benefits

1. Enjoy an annual salary system of 700,000 yuan/year.

2. Receive additional salary subsidies from the Ningbo municipal government proportionally for 3 years.

3. Eligible for the Ningbo Science and Technology Contribution Award. (C) Settling-in Benefits (including talent reward funds from higher authorities) Not less than 3 million yuan. Candidates can choose to purchase talent housing of 180 square meters at a discounted price + reward funds, or opt for housing subsidies + reward funds. (D) Research Funding

4. A research start-up fund of 2 million yuan is provided.

5. Within three months of arrival, candidates can be directly identified as part of the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Introduction Plan for Innovation Individuals/Young Innovative Individuals, and receive an additional one-time project grant of 1 million yuan. (E) Other Benefits

6. Support in establishing an academic team.

7. The university provides fully furnished transitional talent apartments, ready to move in.

8. Enjoy preferential policies from Ningbo city in household registration, entry and exit, medical care, travel, etc.

9. Assistance in finding employment for spouses.

10. Assistance in arranging school admission for children.

VI. Contact Information

Talent Office Contact: Teacher Qian, Phone: 0574-87600494, Email:[email protected]; 

Science and Technology Department Contact: Teacher Wang, Phone: 0574-87609157, Email:[email protected]; 

Medical School Contact: Teacher Xu, Phone: 0574-87600674, Email:[email protected].