4月15日截止！2026年“科学探索奖”启动申报

Core Points - The "Scientific Exploration Award" is one of the highest funding programs for young scientific talents in China, officially starting its application process on January 1, 2026 [1] - A total of up to 50 awardees will be selected, each receiving a total of 3 million yuan over five years, with the application period running from January 1 to April 15, 2026 [1] - The award aims to emphasize originality in research, requiring applicants to detail the originality of their academic contributions and future research plans [1] Eligibility and Criteria - Applicants must hold a PhD and work full-time in mainland China or Hong Kong/Macau, with no nationality restrictions [1] - Age limits for applicants are set at 45 years or younger for males and 48 years or younger for females as of January 1, 2026 [1] - The award will continue to cover 10 funding areas, including mathematics and physics, chemistry and new materials, astronomy and earth sciences, life sciences, medical sciences, information electronics, energy and environment, advanced manufacturing, transportation and construction, and frontier interdisciplinary studies [1] Application Process - The award will implement a "star mechanism," providing one "star quota" in each funding area to reward young scientists [1] - Starting in 2026, applicants who fail to be selected for three consecutive years must wait at least one year before reapplying, aimed at encouraging a more rational assessment of their research contributions [2] - The "Scientific Exploration Award" was established in 2018, funded by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation and led by prominent scientists, with 347 young scientists funded by 2025 [2]