Abstract: This report closely focused on the “fundamental principles” (core concepts and strategic directions) and “practical techniques” (practical methods and technical details) of applying for the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) project, aiming to provide systematic guidance for applicants. The report first offered an in-depth analysis of new policies and changes concerning NSSFC’s disciplinary structure, evaluation guidelines, and process management. Second, it elaborated on how to adhere to the principles of problem-oriented approach and serving national needs, employing scientific methods to refine research topics and design project titles, to enhance the competitiveness of the proposal. Finally, drawing on specific case studies, it provided a targeted analysis of how to accurately identify forward-looking research topics from the Communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and subsequent major special bidding projects, to achieve a deep integration of academic frontiers with national strategies. The report aims to help applicants broaden their academic horizons and master key strategies for application, to significantly improve the quality and success rate of their submissions.
