Abstract: This paper presents an overview and analysis of the NSFC proposals in engineering geology from 2003 to 2007 with respect to submitted proposals, funded projects, applicant institutions and research teams. The engineering geology is one of the fastest developing disciplines in geology in China. The distribution of investigators in basic research is not balanced among the different institutions. The amount of proposals and grants is matched with the proportion of engineering geologists in geology. The proposed budgets are met basically. The quality of the proposals has yet to be improved. Attention needs to be paid on the development of the national scientific talents in engineering geology, especially young scientific talents.