The Strong Foundation Plan (强基计划), launched by the Ministry of Education in 2020, is a special admissions route at a group of leading universities. It replaced the earlier independent enrolment system (自主招生) and is aimed at students with a strong interest and ability in basic disciplines and in fields of national strategic need.
Participating universities are drawn from the top research institutions; the list began with 36 and has since grown slightly. The eligible majors are concentrated in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, along with history, philosophy and ancient Chinese language and literature, plus some engineering fields linked to national priorities.
Students apply before the gaokao, usually in the spring. After results are released, universities shortlist applicants mainly on their gaokao score. Shortlisted candidates then take the university's own assessment, which may include written tests, interviews and a physical fitness test.
Admission is based on a combined score in which the gaokao counts for at least 85 per cent, with the university assessment making up the rest. A small number of candidates with outstanding achievements, such as top results in national academic olympiads, may be shortlisted under special provisions, subject to each university's rules.
The trade-offs matter. Students admitted through the plan generally cannot switch to another major later, and they often enter an integrated programme leading on to postgraduate study, with dedicated tutors and resources. That suits a student who genuinely wants to do mathematics or physics for many years, and suits less well someone using it as a back door into a prestigious university.
Each university publishes its own admissions brochure (招生简章) every year, setting out majors, provincial places, assessment format and weighting. Read the current year's brochure; the rules are similar across universities but not identical.