On the afternoon of June 8, the School of Fine Arts at Nanjing Normal University invited Professor Su Jincheng, doctoral supervisor at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, to deliver an academic lecture titled “Strategies and Techniques for Selecting Topics for National Research Grant Applications.” The event was attended by faculty members preparing research grant applications, senior academic staff, and early-career scholars.
At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Su drew on his extensive experience in grant applications and project evaluation to provide a systematic overview of three major funding categories: the National Social Science Fund of China (Art Studies), the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Fund, and the National Arts Fund. He focused particularly on the thematic orientations and characteristics of the Ministry of Education’s 2025 humanities and social sciences projects, analyzing the key factors behind successful applications. He also compared the application strategies required for National Social Science Fund projects and Ministry of Education projects, offering targeted recommendations for prospective applicants.
When discussing National Social Science Fund projects, Professor Su examined three key aspects: project design, topic selection, and application procedures. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the scope and significance of a research topic, accurately interpreting funding requirements, and developing proposals that combine originality with academic value. With regard to topics related to current issues and social concerns, he stressed the need for a distinctive scholarly perspective and reviewed recent trends among successfully funded projects in the field of art studies.
Drawing on his many years of experience in both applying for and evaluating projects funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Social Science Fund, Professor Su highlighted the crucial role of prior research achievements and interdisciplinary approaches in successful applications. He also emphasized the importance of balancing different sections of the proposal and carefully managing the application process. Using his own successful proposals as examples, he provided detailed guidance on project titles, proposal writing, expected outcomes, and anonymous application forms. Regardless of the approach taken, he advised participants to avoid simply following popular trends without developing a clear academic rationale.
Through an analysis of funded projects in recent years, Professor Su identified major research priorities and emerging trends in the field of art studies. He argued that successful topics should align with national cultural development strategies, engage with disciplinary frontiers, and respond to contemporary social needs while demonstrating both theoretical innovation and practical significance.
The lecture also included a focused discussion of the National Arts Fund’s visual arts creation projects. Professor Su analyzed funding rates, medium distribution, selection tendencies, thematic orientations, and representative cases from the four major funding categories. Drawing on application data from previous years, he offered a detailed interpretation of current funding patterns and provided forward-looking observations on the likely policy directions of the National Arts Fund for 2027.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, during which Professor Su addressed a range of individualized concerns raised by participating faculty members. Through detailed discussion and practical advice, he helped attendees clarify their application strategies and refine their research topics. The lively exchange reflected the strong interest of faculty members, many of whom commented that they had gained valuable insights from the lecture.
This event forms part of the School of Fine Arts’ ongoing efforts to strengthen research competitiveness and optimize disciplinary development. Looking ahead, the School will continue to promote organized research initiatives through a series of high-level academic activities, the integration of disciplinary resources, and the development of research platforms. By fostering an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, the School aims to advance both disciplinary construction and the high-quality development of research activities.
Combining academic rigor with practical guidance, the lecture provided faculty members across different fields with a systematic, effective, and highly applicable framework for preparing competitive research grant applications.