The Early-Career Fellowship (ECF) is a pilot program launched in 2022, which aims to implement the development concept of innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing, and help promote the achievement of sustainable development goals. The ECF program is organized by Future Earth Global Secretariat Hub China with support from China Association for Science and Technology. The mission of the ECF program is to provide a forum in which early-career researchers from various disciplines (e.g., natural, social, and human sciences) can share their interdisciplinary research, pursue unique collaborations, and build a network of colleagues who can share their interest in improving the global sustainable development goals. Since the early years are critical in shaping a researcher’s career, the ECF funds are relatively unrestricted and the recipients will enjoy sufficient independence, flexibility and a built-in support network during his/her tenure as ECF fellow.