---
title: "Taiwan NSTC (National Science and Technology Council) Proposal Guidelines"
description: "> ⚠️ **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**: This guide is based on publicly available information and general academic writing principles. **Always consult the official NSTC website and your specific program's solicitation for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements.** Requirements may vary by field, program type, and year."
type: tutorial
canonical_url: https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/tutorials/nstc-guidelines
source: "Claudary"
difficulty: intermediate
author: "Claude Code Knowledge Pack"
date: 2026-07-10T11:31:25.210Z
license: CC-BY-4.0
attribution: "Taiwan NSTC (National Science and Technology Council) Proposal Guidelines — Claudary (https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/tutorials/nstc-guidelines)"
---

# Taiwan NSTC (National Science and Technology Council) Proposal Guidelines
> ⚠️ **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**: This guide is based on publicly available information and general academic writing principles. **Always consult the official NSTC website and your specific program's solicitation for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements.** Requirements may vary by field, program type, and year.

## Overview

# Taiwan NSTC (National Science and Technology Council) Proposal Guidelines

> ⚠️ **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**: This guide is based on publicly available information and general academic writing principles. **Always consult the official NSTC website and your specific program's solicitation for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements.** Requirements may vary by field, program type, and year.

## Overview

**Official Name**: 國家科學及技術委員會 (National Science and Technology Council, NSTC)  
**Former Name**: 科技部 (Ministry of Science and Technology, MOST)  
**Official Website**: https://www.nstc.gov.tw/

**Mission**: Advance Taiwan's scientific and technological development through research funding, with emphasis on scientific breakthrough, industrial application, and societal impact.

---

## CM03: Research Proposal Content (研究計畫內容)

CM03 is the core technical document of your NSTC proposal. It is officially titled "Contents of Grant Proposal" (計畫書本文).

### Official Format Requirements

Based on official NSTC documentation:

**Paper Size**: A4 (29.7 cm × 21 cm)

**Font**:
- Chinese: PMingLiU (新細明體) or BiauKai (標楷體)
- English: Times New Roman or Arial
- Size: 12-point minimum

**Spacing**: Single space for English; no extra spacing between lines for Chinese

**Page Limits** (varies by field and program type):
- **Humanities**: Individual 1-year: 30 pages; Multi-year: 45 pages
- **Engineering**: Individual 1-year: 20 pages; Multi-year: 25 pages
- **Natural Sciences**: Individual: 30 pages; Integrated: 45 pages
- **Life Sciences**: Individual: 25 pages
- **⚠️ CRITICAL**: Page limits include references and figures. Exceeding limits may result in automatic rejection.

**File Format**: PDF recommended for submission

---

## Required Content Sections

Based on official CM03 templates, the proposal must include:

### 1. Abstract (摘要)

**Requirements**:
- **Chinese abstract**: Maximum 500 characters
- **English abstract**: Maximum 500 words
- **Keywords**: 3-5 keywords in both languages

**Content**:
- Research background and problem statement
- Research objectives
- Key methods and approaches
- Expected outcomes and impact

### 2. Research Background and Objectives (研究計畫之背景及目的)

**Required Elements**:
- Problem statement and significance
- Research originality and innovation
- Expected impact
- Review of domestic and international related research
- Important references with critical evaluation
- **For continuing projects**: Progress from previous year

### 3. Research Methods, Steps, and Timeline (研究方法、進行步驟及執行進度)

**Required Elements**:
- Research principles and methodology
- Justification for chosen methods
- Innovative aspects of the approach
- Anticipated problems and solutions
- Equipment and instrumentation needs
- **For international travel**: Justification and expected benefits
- **Timeline**: Year-by-year breakdown of activities

### 4. Expected Outcomes (預期完成之工作項目及成果)

**Required Elements**:
- Expected research tasks (by year)
- Personnel training plans
- Expected outputs:
  - Journal articles (specify target journals)
  - Conference papers
  - Patents
  - Technology transfer
  - Other deliverables

---

## 114年度 (2025) Application Requirements

Based on official announcements:

**Application Method**: Fully online through NSTC Academic Research Service Network (學術研發服務網)

**Project Start Date**: Most projects begin August 1, 2025 (114年8月1日)

**Academic Ethics Requirement**:
- First-time applicants and first-time participants must complete **at least 6 hours** of academic ethics training within 3 years before submission
- Must provide certification

**Thesis Disclosure**:
- If proposal content involves student theses supervised by the PI, it must be clearly disclosed or cited
- Already published work (including student theses) should not be hidden as new research content

---

## Budget Categories (經費編列)

Based on official guidelines:

**Personnel (人事費)**:
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Research assistants
- Part-time staff
- **Note**: PI salary typically not allowed

**Equipment (設備費)**:
- Items exceeding NT$10,000 with service life > 2 years
- Items exceeding NT$200,000 may require price appraisal

**Consumables (耗材費)**:
- Lab supplies, reagents, software licenses

**Travel (差旅費)**:
- Domestic and international conferences
- Research collaborations

**Other (其他費用)**:
- Publication fees, data collection, outsourcing

---

## Review Criteria

**Note**: Specific scoring weights are not publicly disclosed by NSTC. The following are general evaluation dimensions based on academic practice:

1. **Innovation (創新性)**: Novelty of concept and approach
2. **Feasibility (可行性)**: Methodology soundness and preliminary data
3. **PI Capability (主持人研究能力)**: Track record and expertise
4. **Value (價值)**: Academic contribution and societal/industrial impact

---

## Official Resources

**NSTC Website**: https://www.nstc.gov.tw/

**Application System**: Access through "學術研發服務網" (Academic Research Service Network)

**Help Desk**:
- Computer/System Issues: 0800-212-058 or (02)2737-7592
- Regulation Questions: (02)2737-7440, 7568, 7847, 7980, 8010

**Important**: Always download the latest application forms and guidelines from the official NSTC website under "專題研究計畫專區" (Research Project Area).

### LaTeX Templates

For those who prefer LaTeX for proposal writing, there are excellent community-contributed templates available:

#### Official CTAN Package (Recommended)

**nstc-proposal** - Professional LaTeX classes for NSTC proposals:
- **GitHub**: https://github.com/L-TChen/nstc-proposal
- **CTAN**: Available via `tlmgr install nstc-proposal`
- **Supports**: Both CM03 and CM302 (bibliography format)
- **Features**:
  - Compatible with pdfLaTeX and XeTeX
  - Bilingual support (Chinese/English)
  - Pre-defined section commands (`\\ProposalBackground`, `\\ProposalMethod`, `\\ProposalPlan`, `\\ProposalIntegration`)
  - Multiple font options (standard, Libertine, KaiTi)
  - Proper formatting for NSTC requirements

**Installation**:
```bash
# Via TeX package manager (easiest)
tlmgr install nstc-proposal

# Or manual installation from GitHub
git clone https://github.com/L-TChen/nstc-proposal.git
cd nstc-proposal
latex nstc-proposal.ins
```

**Basic Usage Example**:
```latex
\\documentclass{nstc-cm03}
\\usepackage{microtype}

\\begin{document}
\\ProposalBackground
% Your content here

\\ProposalMethod
% Your content here

\\ProposalPlan
% Your content here

\\nocite{*}
\\bibliographystyle{plain}
\\bibliography{references}
\\end{document}
```

#### Alternative Templates

**Engineering Division Template**:
- GitHub: https://github.com/mcps5601/NSTC-proposal-LaTeX
- Provides CM03 format specifically for Engineering Division (工程司)
- **Note**: Format requirements may differ by division

**Overleaf Templates**:

1. **audachang's CM03 Template** (Recommended for Overleaf users):
   - GitHub: https://github.com/audachang/taiwan-nstc-cm03-template
   - Overleaf: Direct import from GitHub
   - **Features**:
     - Includes official CM03.doc file for reference
     - Uses XeCJK with BiauKai (標楷體) font for Traditional Chinese
     - Organized structure with separate section files (`background.tex`, `methods.tex`, `expected_outcomes.tex`)
     - **Important**: Must use XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX compiler
   - Based on Chen Wen-sheng's template

2. **Other Overleaf Templates**:
   - Search for "國科會研究計畫內容: CM03" on Overleaf
   - Various community-contributed templates available

> ⚠️ **Important**: These are community-contributed templates. Always verify that the format complies with the latest official NSTC requirements for your specific field and program type. The `nstc-proposal` CTAN package is regularly maintained and is the most reliable option.

---

## Practical Insights from Reviewers

> 📚 **Source**: This section is based on "國科會計畫撰寫經驗分享" by Prof. Huang You-Ping (黃有評), President of National Penghu University of Science and Technology. These insights reflect the **reviewer's perspective** and are particularly relevant for Engineering Division proposals.

> ⚠️ **Important**: Scoring thresholds and specific criteria may vary by division (Humanities, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, etc.). Always check with your specific field's requirements.

### Understanding the Scoring System

Based on Engineering Division (工程司) - Automation/Control field experience:

**Scoring Thresholds**:
- **92+ points (Top 5%)**: Outstanding research level - eligible for Distinguished Research Award (傑出研究獎)
- **88+ points (Top 15%)**: Required threshold if applying for a second concurrent project
- **81+ points (Top 54-55%)**: **Passing threshold** - proposals scoring 81 or above are recommended for approval
- **80 points or below**: Not recommended for approval

**Key Insight**: The difference between "passing" (81) and "excellent" (88+) often lies in the strength of preliminary data, clarity of innovation, and demonstrated feasibility.

---

### Section-by-Section Writing Strategies

#### Abstract (摘要)

**Reviewer Expectations**:
- Must demonstrate **innovation** and **problem-solving strategy** immediately
- Should capture attention in the first reading
- Clearly state what makes this proposal different from existing work

**Critical Question**: Does the abstract make the reviewer want to read more?

#### Research Background and Motivation (研究背景及目的)

**What Reviewers Look For**:
- **Clear problem definition**: Is the core problem well-defined?
- **Reasonable design and objectives**: Are the goals achievable and well-justified?
- **Logical flow**: Does the background naturally lead to your research objectives?

**Common Weakness**: Vague problem statements that don't clearly identify what gap you're filling.

#### Literature Review (文獻探討)

**Quality Over Quantity**:
- Select **highly relevant** literature, not just many papers
- **Critical synthesis**: Don't just list papers - analyze strengths, weaknesses, and gaps
- **Recency matters**: Include publications from the **last 2-3 years** to show awareness of current state-of-the-art
- **Strategic positioning**: Use literature review to guide readers toward your research objectives

**Reviewer's Perspective**: A well-curated 20-paper review with critical analysis is far superior to a 50-paper list without synthesis.

#### Research Methods and Implementation (研究方法、進行步驟及執行進度)

**Feasibility is Critical**:
- **Avoid over-idealization**: Proposals that are too ambitious without clear mitigation strategies often fail
- **Logical progression**: Each step should follow naturally from the previous one
- **Comparison with existing methods**: Clearly show how your approach differs and why it's better
- **Contingency planning**: Address potential problems and provide alternative approaches

**Red Flags for Reviewers**:
- Methods that are too difficult without demonstrated capability
- Lack of logical connection between steps
- No discussion of potential challenges
- Missing preliminary data for novel approaches

#### Expected Outcomes (預期完成之工作項目及成果)

**Be Specific and Quantifiable**:
- ✅ **Good**: "Improve system efficiency by 15% compared to baseline method X"
- ❌ **Weak**: "Improve system efficiency"

**Include Multiple Dimensions**:
- **Academic value**: Target journals and expected number of publications
- **Economic benefits**: Potential industrial applications
- **Talent cultivation**: Number and level of students to be trained

---

### Budget Preparation Tips

**Alignment with Research Plan**:
- Every budget item should directly support a specific research activity
- Personnel costs should reflect actual time commitment
- Equipment justification should explain why existing facilities are insufficient

**International Conference Travel**:
- Typical budget: NT$70,000 - 100,000
- **Must justify**: Explain your track record of international conference participation and contributions
- Show how conference attendance benefits the research

**Reviewer's Check**: Does the budget match the proposed activities? Are there unexplained large expenses?

---

### Strategic Career Advice

**For New Faculty**:
1. **Always apply**: New investigators have certain advantages - don't miss the opportunity
2. **Build foundation**: Use undergraduate research projects (大專學生研究計畫) to develop preliminary data
3. **Self-assessment**: Use the review criteria checklist to evaluate your proposal before submission

**Building Academic Visibility**:
- Join professional societies (e.g., IEEE, CAA)
- Serve as reviewer for journals and conferences
- Take on roles as Associate Editor (AE) or board member
- **Why it matters**: Reviewers are more likely to recognize and trust researchers who are active in the community

---

### Preparation and Mindset

**Timeline**:
- **Start early**: Successful proposals require multiple revisions
- **Iterate**: Don't wait until the deadline to start writing
- **Seek feedback**: Have colleagues review your draft

**Handling Rejection**:
- **Learn from feedback**: Carefully review all reviewer comments
- **Revise and resubmit**: Address criticisms in next submission
- **Consider alternatives**: If fundamental issues exist, consider different program types or focus areas

**Professional Presentation**:
- **Figures and tables**: Must be clear, numbered, and properly labeled
- **Formatting**: Professional layout demonstrates attention to detail
- **Proofreading**: Typos and formatting errors suggest carelessness

---

### Self-Assessment Checklist

Before submitting, ask yourself:

**Innovation**:
- [ ] Is my approach genuinely novel or just incremental?
- [ ] Have I clearly explained what's new compared to existing work?
- [ ] Do I have evidence (preliminary data) that my innovation is feasible?

**Feasibility**:
- [ ] Are my methods well-described and logical?
- [ ] Do I have the necessary expertise and resources?
- [ ] Have I addressed potential problems?
- [ ] Is my timeline realistic?

**Impact**:
- [ ] Are my expected outcomes specific and measurable?
- [ ] Have I explained both academic and practical value?
- [ ] Does my proposal align with national priorities or industrial needs?

**Presentation**:
- [ ] Are all figures clear and properly labeled?
- [ ] Is the writing clear and free of errors?
- [ ] Does the budget align with proposed activities?
- [ ] Have I included all required sections?

---

## Advanced Writing Strategies from Government Reviewers

> 📚 **Sources**: This section integrates insights from two comprehensive guides:
> 1. "如何提升政府科技發展計畫書撰寫品質" by **Prof. Guo Yao-Huang (郭耀煌教授)**
> 2. "如何提升政府科技發展計畫書撰寫品質" by **President Wei Yao-Hui (魏耀揮校長)**, Mackay Medical College
>
> These guides are based on extensive experience reviewing government science and technology proposals (including NSTC and other ministry programs).

### The Closed-Loop Logic Framework

**Core Principle**: A high-quality proposal must demonstrate complete logical coherence from problem to performance.

**The Loop**:
```
Problem Discovery → Goal Definition → Strategy Fo

---

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