Abstract: In this study, we development an inter-university academic network based on co-authorship papers of 20 top economics and management journals from 2007 to 2011. We examined the effect of the network position of the universities on the amount of national nature science fund proposal approval. Results suggest that the universities which occupy a central network position are easier to receive more NSFC grants. The university with abundant structural holes has obtained more NSFC grants than managers with fewer structural holes. We also find that universities which have obtained more NSFC grants before also improve the possibility of NSFC grant proposal approval. The university affiliation with “211” project has a significant positive impact on the amount of grants proposal. Based on these results, we can predict which kind of network features can help university to obtain NSFC grants.