To strengthen applications for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), tap talent potential, and improve the scientific quality of the work, the Scientific Research Department, with the support of the Institute’s leadership, held the 2025 NSFC Application Mobilization Meeting on December 16, 2024. Professor Zhao Jiwen from Hefei University of Technology was invited to deliver a guidance report on NSFC applications for young staff of the Institute. The meeting was chaired by Ling Hangkun, Assistant to the President, and attracted more than 40 employees who intend to apply for NSFC funding.

Professor Zhao Jiwen delivered a report titled “Writing NSFC Proposals Using the Three-Element Method.” Starting from the three core elements of research objects, research methods, and research questions, he elaborated in detail on the key steps, writing techniques, and precautions in preparing NSFC applications. He emphasized that for NSFC projects, “topic selection is extremely critical, proposal writing is very important, and innovation and research value are of the utmost importance,” and illustrated each point with specific cases and examples.

On behalf of the Institute of Energy, Ling Hangkun thanked Professor Zhao Jiwen for his meticulous guidance to the Institute’s young staff on NSFC applications. He noted that the guidance session had further enhanced applicants’ understanding of the NSFC application process. He encouraged young staff to focus on the key themes and precautions in each section of the proposal, ensuring appropriate topic selection, precise refinement of scientific questions, clear innovation points, and coherent logic in the main content, so as to improve the overall quality of their applications and strive for breakthroughs in NSFC funding for the Institute in 2025.