The NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious bilateral research funding opportunity jointly launched by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG – German Research Foundation) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). The initiative is designed to strengthen scientific cooperation between Germany and China by supporting collaborative research projects in Intelligent Numerical Mathematics, Scientific Computing, and other closely related disciplines.

The program encourages researchers to develop innovative computational techniques by integrating machine learning, advanced numerical algorithms, and modern mathematical methods. Through this collaboration, both funding agencies aim to accelerate scientific discoveries while fostering long-term international research partnerships.

Researchers interested in Germany-China collaborative research, intelligent numerics, and computational mathematics are encouraged to submit joint proposals.

Who Can Apply for the NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026?

The funding call is intended for established researchers and Principal Investigators (PIs) who are eligible to receive competitive research grants in Germany or China.

Eligible Applicants

• Researchers affiliated with German institutions applying through DFG
• Researchers affiliated with Chinese institutions applying through NSFC
• Principal Investigators holding recognized academic or equivalent research positions

Important Requirement

Applications are accepted only as joint proposals involving one German PI and one Chinese PI.

Projects involving military research or military-related applications are not eligible for funding.

Research Areas Supported

The funding call focuses on Intelligent Numerical Mathematics (iNum) and encourages interdisciplinary research that combines numerical analysis with artificial intelligence and scientific computing.

Learning-Based Numerical Methods

Projects may explore topics such as:

• Adaptive numerical algorithms
• Data-driven preconditioners
• Regularization techniques
• Intelligent solver strategies

Efficient Machine Learning Algorithms

Eligible research includes:

• Large-scale optimization
• Sparsification methods
• Regularization approaches
• Scalable parallel computing techniques

Model Reduction and Multi-Scale Computing

Researchers may propose projects involving:

• Model order reduction
• Multi-scale numerical simulations
• Iterative solver improvements
• High-performance computational methods

Practical Applications

Applications are encouraged in areas including:

• Computational science
• Engineering
• Applied mathematics
• Scientific computing

These research priorities reflect the growing importance of integrating artificial intelligence with advanced numerical mathematics.

Funding Benefits

Successful applicants will receive funding from their respective national funding agency while participating in an internationally recognized collaborative research project.

Funding Duration

Projects may receive financial support for up to three years.

Financial Support

German Researchers

Funding is provided through the DFG Research Grants Programme (Sachbeihilfe).

Chinese Researchers

Funding is awarded under the NSFC research grant scheme.

Additional Benefits

Researchers will have opportunities to:

• Build long-term collaborations between German and Chinese institutions
• Access advanced computational facilities and research infrastructure
• Work with international experts in mathematics and scientific computing
• Share knowledge across interdisciplinary research teams
• Publish research findings under open science principles, including datasets and source code where appropriate

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all eligibility conditions established by their respective funding agency.

German Applicants

Researchers applying through DFG must:

• Meet the DFG Research Grants Programme requirements (Form 50.01)
• Collaborate with a German university if employed at a non-university research institution, in accordance with the cooperation requirement

Chinese Applicants

Applicants must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements established by NSFC
• Be qualified to receive competitive research funding in China

Additional Conditions

Both Principal Investigators must be eligible under their national funding systems.

Research proposals involving military institutions or military applications will not be considered.

How to Apply for the NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026

The application process requires close coordination between the German and Chinese research teams.

Step 1: Prepare a Joint Research Proposal

Applicants should jointly prepare a proposal in English that clearly explains:

• Research objectives
• Scientific significance
• Methodology
• Work plan
• Team composition
• Budget and requested resources

Step 2: Submit Through the Appropriate Funding Agency

German Principal Investigators

Applications must be submitted electronically through the DFG elan submission system.

Chinese Principal Investigators

Applications must be submitted through the official NSFC application portal.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

• Project description (DFG Form 53.01)
• Curriculum Vitae for all Principal Investigators (DFG Form 53.200)
• Budget information for the German research team
• Safety and dual-use research declarations

Important Dates

Application Deadline

30 October 2025 for DFG submissions.

Registration Deadline

Researchers submitting to DFG for the first time must complete registration by 23 October 2025.

Proposal Evaluation

Submitted proposals are independently reviewed by both funding organizations according to their established evaluation procedures.

Projects are assessed based on:

• Scientific excellence
• Research originality
• Feasibility
• Expected impact
• Quality of international collaboration

Funding decisions are expected to be announced in May 2026.

Before funding begins, participating institutions must sign a cooperation agreement covering legal obligations, research data management, and applicable Chinese regulations.

Why Researchers Should Apply

The NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026 offers more than financial support. It provides an opportunity to participate in one of the leading Germany-China research collaborations focused on intelligent numerical mathematics.

Researchers can benefit by:

• Advancing cutting-edge research in computational mathematics
• Developing innovative machine learning-based numerical methods
• Collaborating with internationally recognized experts
• Accessing advanced computational resources
• Building long-term international research partnerships
• Increasing the global visibility of their scientific work

Conclusion

The NSFC-DFG Scholarship 2026 represents an outstanding funding opportunity for researchers working in Intelligent Numerical Mathematics, Scientific Computing, and AI-driven numerical methods. By bringing together leading experts from Germany and China, the program supports high-impact research capable of addressing complex scientific and engineering challenges. Eligible researchers planning international collaborations should begin preparing their joint proposals well before the application deadline.