According to the inquiry of official website of Nantong University, the 2 1 1 project refers to the construction project oriented to the 2 1 century, with about 100 key institutions of higher learning and a number of key disciplines, which officially started construction after being approved by the State Council in 1995+0 1 year. Nantong University was not selected for the 2 1 1 project. Nantong University, founded in 19 12, is a private Nantong Medical College and Nantong Textile College founded by famous industrialist and educator Zhang Jian.

After historical changes, a new Nantong University was formed. 198 1 became the first batch of universities in China to award master's degrees, and became the authorized unit of doctoral degree in 20 13. In 2009, it became a university jointly established by the People's Government of Jiangsu Province and the Ministry of Transport, and in 20 17, it became a supporting university for the construction and training of high-level universities in Jiangsu Province.