Selecting a topic is the first step and strategic decision of scientific research. The topic selection fully embodies the scientific thinking, academic level, experimental ability and expected purpose of the researcher.

Topic selection is the main line that runs through the whole process of scientific research, and all links of the work run around this main line. Therefore, the topic selection is the decisive factor of scientific research success or failure and fruit size. ? Choosing a scientific research topic requires a process: asking questions → consulting literature → forming assumptions → determining plans → setting up topics.

Choose a topic from the bidding scope? Choose topics from scientific frontiers and research hotspots? Choose a topic from the problems encountered? Choose a topic from the blank of the literature? Select a theme from an extension of an existing theme.

Choose six natural science foundation projects from changing the combination of research elements? The Ministry of Science and Technology issues a project bidding guide every year. ? The main categories are as follows: ① General projects: these projects have a wide range and a large number, accounting for the vast majority of all funding. The content includes free application project, youth science fund project, high-tech project and new concept and new idea exploration project. The youth science fund project encourages young people under 35 years old with high academic qualifications or strong scientific research ability to apply for the project. ? (2) Key projects: projects that are at the forefront of the discipline, may have breakthroughs, are of great significance, and have high funding intensity for this project. ? (3) Major projects: projects with great theoretical and applied significance, clear objectives and solid foundation, which are expected to achieve significant results in the near future. ? (4) Major research plan: integrate different academic backgrounds and ideas, form a unified project team, and improve the independent innovation ability of China's basic research in research directions with important scientific significance by giving relatively long-term funding.

See: application of Web of Science database in scientific research topic selection and fund application.