Research grant applications are crucial moments in every researcher's career. Whether applying for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), National Social Science Foundation of China (NSSFC), or Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Fund, an excellent proposal requires not only solid academic content but also clear and intuitive diagrams to demonstrate research ideas. Studies show that proposals with clear visual presentation score over 20% higher in reviews.
However, traditional scientific illustration faces numerous challenges: steep learning curves for professional design software, time-consuming drawing processes, and difficulty achieving aesthetic results. AI-powered scientific illustration tools are changing this landscape, enabling researchers to quickly generate professional-level scientific illustrations.
This guide systematically introduces the core diagram types needed for various Chinese research grant applications, providing detailed AI illustration tutorials and prompt templates.
In this tutorial, you will learn:
- Specific diagram requirements for NSFC, NSSFC, and MOE funds
- Design principles and creation methods for five core diagram types
- Practical AI illustration prompt templates with real examples
- Diagram layout and formatting standards
Part 1: Diagram Requirements for Different Funds
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
NSFC proposals have clear expectations for diagrams, with particular emphasis on technical roadmaps and mechanism diagrams. Starting in 2026, the research content section no longer has preset outline restrictions, and the main text is limited to 30 pages, giving applicants greater freedom in visual presentation.
Core Diagram Types:
- Technical Roadmap (Essential): Concise graphical description of technical implementation steps and logical relationships
- Mechanism/Hypothesis Diagram: Illustrating scientific questions, mechanisms, and research hypotheses
- Preliminary Results Figures: Demonstrating prior work foundation to strengthen feasibility
- Experimental Design Schematics: Clearly showing complex experimental designs
Diagram Requirements:
- Aesthetic and clear, serving as finishing touches
- All figures must have figure numbers and titles, centered
- Text in figures should be clearly readable, bold fonts recommended
- Maximum 7 characters per box
- Figures should be centered with appropriate spacing above and below
- Avoid splitting figures or legends across pages
National Social Science Foundation of China (NSSFC)
NSSFC encourages using diagrams to help reviewers understand research design more intuitively, particularly recommending research framework diagrams.
Core Diagram Types:
- Research Framework Diagram: Showing research object division, overall framework, main objectives, and logical relationships
- Research Method Diagram: Explaining methods, sampling, and research design
- Technical Roadmap: Indicating logical research routes
Diagram Requirements:
- Clear theme, prominent focus, logical clarity, distinct hierarchy
- Serving the project demonstration, enhancing persuasiveness
- Clear and aesthetic layout, avoiding overly small fonts or dense spacing
Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Fund
MOE funds encourage visually rich proposals, recommending flowcharts and block diagrams for research plans and technical routes.
Core Diagram Types:
- Flowcharts: Explaining research plans and technical routes
- Block Diagrams: Showing overall research architecture
- Results Display Figures: Using photos, curves, etc. to show existing research results
Part 2: Five Core Diagram Types with AI Illustration Examples
Below we demonstrate how to use AI illustration tools to generate professional grant proposal diagrams through specific research examples. Each case includes complete prompts that you can directly modify and use.
Diagram Type 1: Technical Roadmap
The technical roadmap is the most important diagram in grant applications, helping reviewers quickly understand research ideas.
Example: CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors Research
Here is a technical roadmap example for an NSFC application in tumor immunotherapy.
Complete Prompt for This Figure:
Scientific technical roadmap diagram for a research grant proposal on
"CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors", 16:9 landscape format, professional
academic style.
Structure: Three vertical swimlanes representing three research aims flowing
top to bottom across 3-year project timeline.
Left lane (blue header): "Aim 1: CAR-T Design & Optimization"
- Year 1: Target antigen screening (HER2, EGFR, Mesothelin), CAR construct
design with 4-1BB costimulation
- Year 2: In vitro cytotoxicity assays, persistence evaluation
- Arrow pointing to center lane
Center lane (green header): "Aim 2: Tumor Microenvironment Modulation"
- Year 1: TME analysis, immunosuppressive factor identification
- Year 2: Combination strategies (anti-PD1, TGF-β inhibitor)
- Year 3: Synergy optimization
- Bidirectional arrows to other lanes
Right lane (purple header): "Aim 3: Preclinical Validation"
- Year 2: PDX mouse model establishment, CAR-T infusion protocols
- Year 3: Efficacy and safety evaluation, IND-enabling studies
- Arrow pointing to "Clinical Translation" outcome
Timeline ribbon on right: Year 1 → Year 2 → Year 3 with milestones
Innovation markers: Orange star icons highlighting "Novel dual-targeting CAR",
"TME reprogramming strategy"
Integration points: Horizontal connecting lines at key checkpoints
Quality indicators: Green checkmarks for "Reproducibility", "GMP-compliant"
Color scheme: Blue, green, purple for aims; orange for innovation;
clean white background
Professional grant proposal style, Arial font, clear visual hierarchyDiagram Type 2: Molecular Mechanism Diagram
Mechanism diagrams visually present theoretical foundations, mechanisms, or scientific hypotheses, particularly important in life sciences and medicine.
Example: CAR-T Cell Anti-Tumor Mechanism
Complete Prompt for This Figure:
Molecular mechanism diagram for research grant proposal showing CAR-T cell
anti-tumor mechanism, scientific illustration style similar to Cell/Nature
journals.
Layout: Left-to-right signaling pathway with tumor cell and CAR-T cell
interaction.
Left section - CAR-T Cell:
- T cell shape with enhanced CAR receptor on surface
- CAR structure showing: scFv (targeting domain), hinge, transmembrane,
CD28/4-1BB costimulatory, CD3ζ signaling domains
- Intracellular signaling cascade: ZAP70 → PLCγ → NFAT activation
Center section - Immune Synapse:
- CAR engaging tumor antigen (HER2) on tumor cell membrane
- Cytotoxic granule release: Perforin (pore formation), Granzyme B
(apoptosis induction)
- Cytokine secretion: IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2
Right section - Tumor Cell:
- Tumor cell undergoing apoptosis
- Caspase cascade activation inside cell
- DNA fragmentation, cell shrinkage depicted
Research focus box: Red dashed rectangle around "Novel TME-responsive CAR
design" with question mark
Known pathway: Solid blue arrows
Research hypothesis: Dashed red arrows with "?" marks
Color scheme: Blue (CAR-T), red (tumor/apoptosis), green (activation signals)
Clean scientific illustration style, professional qualityDiagram Type 3: Research Framework Diagram
Research framework diagrams are core for social science grant applications, showing overall research design and logical structure.
Example: Digital Economy Empowering Rural Revitalization
Complete Prompt for This Figure:
Research framework diagram for National Social Science Fund proposal on
"Digital Economy and Rural Revitalization: Mechanism, Path and Policy",
professional academic infographic style.
Top banner: Research title "数字经济赋能乡村振兴：机制、路径与政策研究"
First tier - Research Objects (3 parallel boxes):
- Box 1: "数字基础设施" - icons: 5G tower, broadband
- Box 2: "数字产业融合" - icons: e-commerce, smart agriculture
- Box 3: "数字治理能力" - icons: government platform, data
Second tier - Research Content (3 main areas):
Left column "理论研究":
- 数字经济理论框架
- 乡村振兴内涵演进
- 赋能机制模型构建
Center column "实证研究":
- 全国县域面板数据(n=2,000+)
- 典型案例深度调研(8省16县)
- 农户问卷调查(n=3,000)
Right column "对策研究":
- 发展路径设计
- 政策工具选择
- 区域差异化策略
Third tier - Research Methods:
- 定量方法: 双重差分、空间计量、机器学习
- 定性方法: 扎根理论、案例比较、政策文本分析
Bottom tier - Expected Outcomes:
- 理论贡献: 构建数字乡村赋能理论体系
- 实践价值: 形成可复制推广的发展模式
- 政策建议: 提交决策咨询报告
Color scheme: Deep blue (framework), light blue (content), green (methods),
orange (outcomes)
Chinese text labels, professional academic styleDiagram Type 4: Experimental Design Schematic
For complex experimental designs, clear schematics help reviewers quickly understand research plans.
Example: Novel Compound for Diabetic Nephropathy
Complete Prompt for This Figure:
Experimental design diagram for NSFC grant proposal showing "Effect of Novel
Compound X on Diabetic Nephropathy", professional biomedical research style.
Layout: Left-to-right flow diagram showing experimental groups and timeline.
Left section - Sample Source:
- Mouse icon: "db/db diabetic mice model"
- Age: "8-week-old male mice"
- Total sample: "n=60, randomly assigned"
Center section - Group Assignment (4 groups):
- Group 1: "Model + Vehicle" (n=15) - gray box
- Group 2: "Model + Compound X Low dose (10mg/kg)" (n=15) - light blue
- Group 3: "Model + Compound X High dose (30mg/kg)" (n=15) - dark blue
- Group 4: "Normal Control (db/m mice)" (n=15) - green box
Timeline bar:
Week 0: Baseline measurements, randomization
Week 4: Mid-point blood collection
Week 8: Endpoint sacrifice, tissue harvest
Right section - Measurements:
Primary endpoints: Urinary albumin/creatinine, Serum creatinine, BUN
Secondary endpoints: Histopathology, Immunohistochemistry, Western blot
Mechanistic analysis: RNA-seq, Metabolomics
Quality control badges: "Randomization", "Blinded analysis", "n=15 per group
(power=0.8)"
Color scheme: Blue (treatment), green (control), gray (vehicle), orange (endpoints)Diagram Type 5: Expected Outcomes and Impact
Showing expected outputs and societal impact enhances proposal persuasiveness.
Example: Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy
Complete Prompt for This Figure:
Expected outcomes and impact diagram for research grant proposal, showing
project outputs and broader impacts, professional infographic style.
Overall structure: Concentric circles expanding from project core to
societal impact.
Center circle - Project Core:
- "干细胞治疗糖尿病视网膜病变研究"
- "National Natural Science Foundation"
- "Duration: 4 years, Funding: ¥580,000"
First ring - Direct Outputs (Years 1-4):
- Publications: "8-10 SCI papers (IF>5)"
- Data/Methods: "Open-access cell atlas"
- Patents: "2-3 invention patents"
- Training: "3 PhD students, 4 Master students"
Second ring - Academic Impact (Years 3-6):
- Field advancement: "Establish retinal organoid disease model"
- Methodology: "GMP-grade protocol adoption by 10+ labs"
- Collaboration: "International consortium participation"
Third ring - Translational Value (Years 5-8):
- Clinical translation: "IND application", "Phase I trial"
- Industry partnership: "Technology licensing"
Outer ring - Societal Impact (Years 8+):
- Patient benefit: "5M+ patients potentially benefiting"
- Economic impact: "Reduce healthcare costs"
Color gradient: Deep blue (core) → teal → green → gold (outer impact)
Timeline at bottom: "Short-term → Medium-term → Long-term"Part 3: Prompt Writing Tips
Key Elements of Effective Prompts
| Element | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Diagram Type | Clarify output format | "Technical roadmap diagram" |
| Use Case | Guide style positioning | "for NSFC grant proposal" |
| Overall Structure | Define layout framework | "Three vertical swimlanes" |
| Section Content | Fill specific information | "Left section - Sample Source:" |
| Visual Elements | Enhance readability | "icons, arrows, checkmarks" |
| Color Scheme | Unify visual style | "Blue for treatment, green for control" |
Part 4: Checklist
Before submitting your proposal, check your diagrams against this list:
Content Check
- Diagram accurately reflects research ideas
- All terminology used correctly
- Sample sizes and timelines are accurate
- Innovation points appropriately highlighted
- Logical relationships clearly visible
Format Check
- Figure numbers and titles complete
- Font size appropriate (≥9pt)
- Resolution meets requirements
- Figures centered with spacing
- No page breaks within figures
Aesthetic Check
- Color scheme coordinated
- Layout balanced and attractive
- Visual hierarchy clear
- Professional appearance
Summary
Quality diagrams are crucial for successful grant applications. Through this guide, you have mastered:
- Specific diagram requirements for NSFC, NSSFC, and MOE funds
- Design principles for five core diagram types
- Complete AI illustration prompt examples ready to modify and use
- Prompt writing techniques for creating custom diagrams
- Layout standards and checklists to ensure quality
With AI tools, researchers can invest more time in core research work while achieving professional-level visualization. Best wishes for your successful grant application!
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