Group 1 - The core issue highlighted is the declining success rate of the National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) grants, which has dropped to 12.29% this year from 13% last year, marking a continuous decline for five years [2][4] - The "non-promotion, non-resignation" policy in universities has intensified competition among young researchers, making it crucial for them to secure funding before the age of 35 to ensure career progression [2][4] - The number of applicants for the Youth Science Fund (YSF) has surged, leading to increased difficulty in securing grants, with the success rate for YSF dropping from 25.20% in 2013 to 17.23% in 2022 [4][5] Group 2 - The NSFC has various funding categories, with the YSF being particularly important for young researchers as it serves as their "first pot of gold," influencing their future funding applications and career advancement [3][4] - The number of applicants for the NSFC's general projects has increased significantly, with a 48.77% rise in applicants for 2024, reaching 178,000 [5] - The NSFC is implementing new measures to support young researchers, including the establishment of the Innovation Research Group B project aimed at funding teams of researchers under 40 [8] Group 3 - Recent reforms in the evaluation and promotion systems in universities aim to create a more humane mechanism, transitioning from "non-promotion, non-resignation" to a more flexible approach [6][7] - The Ministry of Education has emphasized the need for a supportive environment for young researchers, allowing for trial and error and fostering a culture of innovation [7][8] - The NSFC is also focusing on nurturing a high-level talent pool by providing funding for outstanding undergraduate and doctoral students, thereby strengthening the foundation for future research [8]