China outlines 2026-2030 science and technology development plan

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has announced a new development plan for the 2026-2030 period, focusing on three primary pillars: fundamental research, strategic high technologies, and sustainable development. Priority research areas include integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, life sciences, brain-computer interfaces, and controlled nuclear fusion. Additionally, the plan identifies photonics, space exploration, information technology, marine sciences, and energy/materials technology as strategic high-tech sectors.

A central component of this strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence into scientific research. Rather than treating AI solely as an independent field, CAS intends to use it as a fundamental tool to accelerate research across all scientific disciplines. This includes developing scientific foundation models, “smart scientist” systems, and new AI infrastructures for research.

To support these scientific ambitions, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has launched a program to provide long-term financial support to elite young scientists under the age of 35. This initiative offers 15 years of funding without the pressure of short-term performance evaluations or specific publication quotas. The primary criterion for continued support is whether the researchers remain active in their laboratories. In the current cycle, 44 scientists were selected, nine of whom are from abroad.