To help nominators and nominees understand the nomination prerequisites, application requirements, procedures, and key considerations, official information regarding the Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award is hereby released.
I. About the Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award
(A) Nature and Purpose
The Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award, Chinaisan affiliated awardestablished under the framework of the Tengchong Science Award, initiated by the Tengchong Scientists Forum Center, with academic guidance provided by the Chinese Association of Young Scientists and Technologists. It recognizes young scientists who have made outstanding scientific contributions and demonstrated exceptional innovation potential in basic scientific research, technological innovation, and science communication. The award aims to inspire the research enthusiasm of young science and technology professionals, promote the scientific spirit, serve national strategic needs, support the growth of young scientific talent, and build a vital workforce for national strength in science and technology.
(B)Eligible Fields
The award covers the following 10 fields:
1.Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy
2. Information and IntelligenceSciences
3. Chemical Sciences
4. Materials and Energy Sciences
5. Life Sciences and Agricultural Sciences
6. Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
7. Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Sciences
8. Ecological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
9. Emerging Interdisciplinary Sciences
10. Science Communication
*Note: Emerging Interdisciplinary Sciences addresses major frontier issuesinvolving multi-disciplinary intersections, as well askey scientific foundations related to future industries.
(C) Scope and Form of Awards
1.Numbers of Awardees
The "Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award" will be evaluated across the specified fields, with 1 to 2awardeesper field, and no more than 15intotal.
2. Form of Award
Each awardee will be awarded 1 certificate, 1 gold medal, and a monetary reward.
3. Additional Privileges for Awardees
(1) Invitation to deliver a keynote presentation at the Tengchong Scientists Forum - Young Scientists Forum in the year of selection.
(2) Priority participation in the Tengchong Scientists Forum and related closed-door seminars.
(3) Invitation to join relevant technology and science communication events hosted by the Chinese Association ofYoung Scientists and Technologists.
(4) Invitation to participate in national conditions education programs.
(5) Inclusion in the "Tengchong Young Scientists Think Tank" to participate in technical consulting and industry collaboration.
(6) Priority support from relevant technology transfer and commercialization funds.
(7) Support and encouragement for landing and commercializing the awardees' achievements in Yunnan, with priority arrangement for project funding under Yunnan Province's science and technology plans.A dedicated facilitation channel will be established to support awardees in serving as Science and Technology Vice Presidents or equivalent technology leadership roles in relevant enterprises in Yunnan.
II. Nomination Process
(A) Nomination Mechanism
Only nominations submitted by the designated nominators listed below will be accepted.Self-nominations are not accepted.
1. Academician Nomination:Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering may independently recommend 1 candidate in the same field.
2. University Nomination:University presidents with top-tier disciplines in relevant fields may independently recommend 1 candidate (limited to their own institution).
3. Research Institute Nomination:Directors of national-level research institutes may independently recommend 1 candidate (limited to their own institute).
4. Invited Expert Nomination:Invited experts of the Tengchong Scientists Forum may independently recommend 1 candidate in the same field.
(B) Requirements for Nominators
1. Each nominator may submit only 1 nomination per year, covering only 1 candidate, valid for the current year.
2. Nominators cannot serve as members of the evaluation panel for the current cycle.
(C) Requirements for Nominees
1. Uphold scientific ethics and commit to serving national development and public welfare through technological innovation.
2. Age Requirement:Must not exceed 40 years of age as of January 1 of the award year (born on or after January 1, 1986).
3. Qualification Requirement:Young science and technology professionals working full-time in Mainland China, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, or Taiwan, China, holding a doctoral degree or equivalent research capability.
4. Achievement Requirement:Primary research achievements must be highly relevant to the declared field and must not involve state secrets or sensitive information.
5. If a nominee is found to have committed academic misconduct or provided untrue materials during the selection process, their candidacy will be revoked, and they will be barred from nomination for 3 years.
III. Nomination Materials
(A) Material Requirements
1. The 2026 Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award Nomination Form and supporting materials must be submitted. The nomination form should be completed in Chinese or English.
2. Proof of academic achievements, including but not limited to published papers, patents, and major awards, capped at 5 items and no more than 10 pages in total.
3. A recommendation letter written and signed by hand by the nominator (within 300 English words or400 Chinese characters), outlining the candidate's scientific contributions and innovative value.
(B) Submission Methods
1. Send the electronic version of nomination materials (including the nominator's electronic signature) to: ysaward@tsfcenter.cn.
2. Mail the hard copy (with the nominator's original signature) and supporting materials to:
Secretariat of the Scientific Advisory and Review Expert Committee of the Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award,
41st Floor, Huide Building, Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Contact: Ms. Yan, +86 15815565994.
2.The deadline for both electronic and physical submissions isSeptember 25, 2026, at 24:00 (GMT+8).
IV. Review Process
(A) Preliminary Review
The Secretariat of the Scientific Advisory and Review Expert Committee will collect and conduct a preliminary review of nomination materials. Qualified candidates will advance to the conference evaluation stage.
(B) Conference Evaluation
1. The Scientific Advisory and Review Expert Committee will evaluate candidates who pass the preliminary review.
2. Evaluators must proactively disclose any conflict of interest with nominees (e.g., same institution, advisor/student relationship, relative, collaboration on projects/papers, business partnerships, or competition). Experts with conflicts of interest must recuse themselves from the evaluation.
(C) Announcement
Awardees will be officially announced and presented during the 2026 Tengchong Scientists Forum.
V. Key Considerations
(1) Nomination materials must not contain content violating laws, regulations, state secrets, or sensitive information. Nominees are responsible for the authenticity and legality of submitted materials. Plagiarism and fraud are strictly prohibited.
(2) For materials involving research ethics and technological safety (e.g., biosafety, information security), nominees must strictly comply with national laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines.
(3) Nominees must comply with the internal rules and regulations of their affiliated institutions.
VI. Miscellaneous
These guidelines are subject to interpretation by the Scientific Advisory and Review Expert Committee of the Tengchong Outstanding Young Scientists Award.
