Sleep Research Projects Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China during 1988—2019: Analysis and Prospects

Background Sleep research has a major part to play in facilitating the development of sleep medicine. In China, the development of sleep medicine started later compared with other medical disciplines, and related advances have been seldom reported. Objective To review the development of sleep research in China by analyzing sleep research projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) , providing data for future development of sleep research. Methods Data were collected from the NSFC, including the supported projects regarding sleep-disordered breathing (code H0113) and sleep and sleep disorders (code H0916) as well as those with corresponding codes involving sleep or sleep disorder of Department of Health Sciences, and supported projects involving sleep or sleep disorder in Departments of Life Sciences. The number and composition of supported projects and funding amount, geographical, regional and institutional distribution of supported projects in terms of number and funding am