The NSTC Office of Research and Development, Division of Natural Sciences and Sustainability, hereby presents the "115th Year Application Guidelines and Thematic/Research Topic Description for Integrated Sustainable Development Research Projects," with pertinent information as follows:

1. This initiative falls under the NSTC’s Special Research Projects, and funded projects will be included in the tally of the Council’s special research projects.

2. To advance sustainable scientific research, the Division of Natural Sciences and Sustainability undertakes a quinquennial mid-term planning and formulation of "Integrated Sustainable Development Research" based on international research trends and Taiwan’s developmental needs, serving as the guiding direction for disciplinary special research projects.

3. Emphasizing Taiwan’s local issues and needs, and enhancing the participation of the humanities and social sciences, the third mid-term plan (2015–2019) completed in 2014 sought to deepen the spirit of co-design, co-production, and co-delivery within integrated research formulation, execution, and outcomes. Subsequently, in 2019, research involving human trials, gene recombination experiments, field trials of genetically modified organisms, animal experiments, and systematic surveys involving individuals or groups—areas related to research ethics—must comply with the NSTC’s special research project operational guidelines and provide requisite documentation. The mid-term plan (2020–2024) accentuates local issues and the practice of Trans-Disciplinary Research (TDR), aspiring to realize the vision of Knowledge to Action.

4. In 2024, considering the ongoing international trajectory of sustainable science aligned with the Future Earth framework, the NSTC continues to promote solution-oriented TDR, developing pathways responsive to sustainable development demands to fulfill the Knowledge to Action vision. The fifth mid-term plan (2026–2030) was finalized in August 2025, with corresponding adjustments to the "115th Year Application Guidelines and Thematic/Research Topic Description for Integrated Sustainable Development Research Projects" as detailed in Attachment 2.

5. Project applications are primarily for "Integrated Projects"; however, in alignment with the fifth mid-term plan and to cultivate research capacity, three categories of "Individual Projects" are accepted for distinct purposes, with the following requirements:

(1) Integrated Group Projects:

1. The integrated team must comprise at least three principal or sub-project applicants. Following proposal review, each integrated team must have no fewer than three approved applicants (including principal and sub-project applicants), with the principal applicant’s approval being mandatory.

2. The "Integrated Research Project Items and Key Descriptions (Form CM04)" and the "Research Project Chinese Abstract (Form CM02)" must explicitly state the underlying thematic issues and research topics; the "Integrated Research Project Self-Assessment Checklist (format detailed in Attachment 3)" should be incorporated within CM04.

(2) Individual Projects:

1. New Investigator Individual Projects: Applicants must meet new investigator eligibility criteria; rolling submissions are not accepted. The "Research Project Chinese Abstract (Form CM02)" must specify the thematic issues and research topics.

2. Prospective Individual Projects: Applicants must satisfy the NSTC’s age criteria for outstanding young scholars (under 45 years old; for 2026, born on or after January 1, 1981). The "Research Project Chinese Abstract (Form CM02)" must specify the thematic issues and research topics.

3. Directed Transdisciplinary Research Planning Projects: Researchers are encouraged to conduct one-year cross-disciplinary research planning on critical sustainable development issues in Taiwan. Although these projects may not be confined to mid-term plan themes and topics, the proposal must articulate the targeted sustainable development challenges in Taiwan and how it addresses solution-oriented TDR. The "Research Project Chinese Abstract (Form CM02)" must indicate the project type as "Directed Transdisciplinary Research Planning Project."

6. Other Important Considerations: (Detailed in Attachment 1)

(1) To embody the spirit of TDR and strengthen the appropriateness of research involving Indigenous peoples, projects involving "Indigenous peoples or Indigenous lands or territories and their surrounding areas" must adhere to the principles outlined in Article 21, Paragraph 1 of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, with relevant plans incorporated within the proposal.

(2) To promote quality control of scientific data production, data preservation, and sharing of research outcomes, inclusion of a "Data Management Plan (DMP)" within research proposals is encouraged.

7. Relevant attachments are accessible via the NSTC Office of Research and Development, Division of Natural Sciences and Sustainability website (https://www.nstc.gov.tw/nat/ch) under announcements.

8. Yuntech contact person: Ms. Chang-Ju Lee, extension: 2522.