Strategic Basic Research Funding Model of U. S. National Science Foundation and Its Inspirations

The funding system for strategic basic research plays a vital role in enhancing national scientific and technological competitiveness. As the primary federal agency supporting strategic basic research in the United States，the National Science Foundation （NSF） offers valuable insights for China’s reform practices. This study examines NSF’s funding model through a framework of “strategic planning-funding mechanisms-performance assessment”，revealing three core characteristics：（1） Multi-stakeholder strategic planning under legislative frameworks. NSF develops strategic plans through broad stakeholder engagement anchored in federal legislation. This process translates national strategic priorities into actionable goals while ensuring scientific rigor through multi-stakeholder consultations and legal mandates. （2） Hybrid funding mechanisms：Competitive and Stable Support. Competitive grants target application-oriented research with flexible cycles，enabling rapid response to emerging needs. Stable funding sustains high-intensity investments in national laboratories and cross-disciplinary centers，focusing on deep interdisciplinary integration and frontier technology breakthroughs. （3） Performance assessment reinforcing strategic goals. NSF institutionalizes a bidirectional linkage between strategic planning and performance evaluation. It integrates quantitative metrics and qualitative peer reviews to align funding outcomes with national priorities and optimize resource allocation. Based on these findings，we propose recommendations for NSFC，including strengthening top-level design and interagency coordination; refine performance assessment systems; adopt hybrid funding models and discipline-specific talent development.