Analysis of funding for lung cancer research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2019 to 2023_Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Authors：

WANG Liyi ¹ , SU Wei ¹ ,  LIU Lunxu ²

1. Department of Science and Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;

Corresponding?author：

LIU Lunxu, Email: lunxu_liu@aliyun.com

Keywords：

Lung cancer; National Natural Science Foundation of China; research trends; molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways; tumor microenvironment and immunity; artificial intelligence; scientific research management

DOI：

10.7507/1007-4848.202605071

Video：

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Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

Objective To analyze the characteristics and changing trends of lung cancer-related projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) during 2019–2023, providing a reference for researchers in topic selection and for optimizing scientific research management and resource allocation. Methods Relevant databases, including the NSFC Big Data Knowledge Management Service Platform, were systematically searched to collect information on lung cancer-related funded projects from 2019 to 2023. Quantitative methods were applied to evaluate project categories, funding amounts, and the distribution of host institutions. Project themes were classified according to their titles, keywords, and abstracts, and were subsequently compared with those of projects funded during 2014–2018. Results A total of 1 327 lung cancer-related projects were funded from 2019 to 2023, with total funding of 554.92 million yuan. The Young Scientists Fund and the General Program accounted for 90.3% (1 199/1 327) of the projects and 84.1% (46 675/55 492) of the total funding; the top 10 host institutions comprised approximately 32.0% of all funded projects. Thematic analysis revealed that the core funding directions in the lung cancer field during 2019–2023 focused on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. Major research themes included metastasis and recurrence, tumor microenvironment and immunity, and targeted therapy resistance and drug development. Compared with 2014–2018, the proportion of projects focused on tumor microenvironment and immunity, as well as artificial intelligence and medical engineering, increased substantially. Overall, the themes of funded lung cancer projects were dominated by mechanistic studies and demonstrated cross-cutting features intersecting with disease progression, therapeutic resistance, immune regulation, and clinical translation. Conclusion The number of NSFC-funded lung cancer-related projects has continued to grow. Research themes have evolved from pure mechanistic exploration toward immune regulation and translational research, exhibiting characteristics of interdisciplinary integration with emerging technologies and multi-theme cross-fertilization. Researchers are encouraged to align with policy orientations and to emphasize the innovation and translational value of their proposed topics.

Citation： WANG Liyi, SU Wei, LIU Lunxu. Analysis of funding for lung cancer research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2019 to 2023. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2026, 33(7): 1064-1070. doi: 10.7507/1007-4848.202605071 Copy

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15.	馮玉寬, 宋永喜, 戴潔, 等. 2019年度國家自然科學基金臨床腫瘤學科面上項目分類申請與評審情況分析與思考. 中國科學基金, 2021, 35(1): 122-128.Feng YK, Song YX, Dai J, et al. Analysis and thoughts on classification application and review of general programs in clinical oncology of National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2019. Bull Natl Nat Sci Found China, 2021, 35(1): 122-128.
16.	余中光, 李愛花, 李輝, 等. 2009—2019年國家自然科學基金呼吸疾病領域項目資助情況回顧分析. 中華醫學科研管理雜志, 2022, 35(3): 186-190.Yu ZG, Li AH, Li H, et al. A retrospective analysis of the funding of respiratory projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2009 to 2019. Chin J Med Sci Res Manag, 2022, 35(3): 186-190.
17.	Rui Z, Lu D, Wei L, et al. Worldwide research trends on bone metastases of lung cancer: a bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol, 2024, 14: 1429194.
18.	Duma N, Santana-Davila R, Molina JR. Non-small cell lung cancer: epidemiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc, 2019, 94(8): 1623-1640.

1. Bray F, Laversanne M, Sung H, et al. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin, 2024, 74(3): 229-263.
2. Guo LW, Zhu CX, Cai L, et al. Global burden of lung cancer in 2022 and projected burden in 2050. Chin Med J (Engl), 2024, 137(21): 2577-2582.
3. Li C, Lei S, Ding L, et al. Global burden and trends of lung cancer incidence and mortality. Chin Med J (Engl), 2023, 136(13): 1583-1590.
4. Han B, Zheng R, Zeng H, et al. Cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2022. J Natl Cancer Cent, 2024, 4(1): 47-53.
5. Liu Y, Gao Z, Wang H, et al. Analysis of projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China during the years of 2014-2018. Ann Transl Med, 2019, 7(12): 267.
6. 汪灝. 近3年國家自然科學基金對于肺癌領域的資助情況分析. 中華胸部外科電子雜志, 2020, 7(4): 220-223.Wang H. Analysis of the funding granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China on the field of lung cancer during past three years. Chin J Thorac Surg (Electron Ed), 2020, 7(4): 220-223.
7. 姚剛, 岑棟, 王斐, 等. 國家自然科學基金腫瘤臨床及轉化研究資助概況與未來展望. 中國科學基金, 2025, 39(1): 185-192.Yao G, Cen D, Wang F, et al. Overview and perspectives of funding for clinical and translational research in oncology by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Bull Natl Nat Sci Found China, 2025, 39(1): 185-192.
8. Thai AA, Solomon BJ, Sequist LV, et al. Lung cancer. Lancet, 2021, 398(10299): 535-554.
9. Huang Z, Xie T, Xie W, et al. Research trends in lung cancer and the tumor microenvironment: a bibliometric analysis of studies published from 2014 to 2023. Front Oncol, 2024, 14: 1428018.
10. Zheng YH, Chen L, Liu X, et al. The current state and trends of immunotherapy research in lung cancer: a review and bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol, 2024, 14: 1428307.
11. Gencer A, Aydin S. Bibliometric analysis and research trends of artificial intelligence in lung cancer. Heliyon, 2024, 10(2): e24665.
12. Liu Y, Jiang S, Lin Y, et al. Research landscape and trends of lung cancer radiotherapy: a bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol, 2022, 12: 1066557.
13. 張占國, 李璞, 王建波, 等. 2023年度腫瘤學科基金項目申請和評審工作綜述. 中國科學基金, 2024, 38(1): 81-85.Zhang ZG, Li P, Wang JB, et al. Review of the application evaluation in oncology of Department of Health Sciences of National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2023. Bull Natl Nat Sci Found China, 2024, 38(1): 81-85.
14. 范欣, 霍名赫, 韓立煒, 等. 2023年度醫學科學部基金項目評審工作綜述. 中國科學基金, 2024, 38(1): 52-57.Fan X, Huo MH, Han LW, et al. Overview of proposal applications, peer review and funding of the Department of Health Sciences, NSFC in 2023. Bull Natl Nat Sci Found China, 2024, 38(1): 52-57.
15. 馮玉寬, 宋永喜, 戴潔, 等. 2019年度國家自然科學基金臨床腫瘤學科面上項目分類申請與評審情況分析與思考. 中國科學基金, 2021, 35(1): 122-128.Feng YK, Song YX, Dai J, et al. Analysis and thoughts on classification application and review of general programs in clinical oncology of National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2019. Bull Natl Nat Sci Found China, 2021, 35(1): 122-128.
16. 余中光, 李愛花, 李輝, 等. 2009—2019年國家自然科學基金呼吸疾病領域項目資助情況回顧分析. 中華醫學科研管理雜志, 2022, 35(3): 186-190.Yu ZG, Li AH, Li H, et al. A retrospective analysis of the funding of respiratory projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2009 to 2019. Chin J Med Sci Res Manag, 2022, 35(3): 186-190.
17. Rui Z, Lu D, Wei L, et al. Worldwide research trends on bone metastases of lung cancer: a bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol, 2024, 14: 1429194.
18. Duma N, Santana-Davila R, Molina JR. Non-small cell lung cancer: epidemiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc, 2019, 94(8): 1623-1640.

Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Analysis of funding for lung cancer research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2019 to 2023

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