The NSFC proposals and grants in hydrogeology from 2003 to 2007 were overviewed. The hydrogeology is one of the faster developing disciplines in geology, while the distribution of researchers in fundamental studies is not balanced among the different institutions. The amount of proposals and grants is matched with the proportion of hydrogeologists in geology. The proposed budgets are met basically. The quality of the proposals is being improved. Attention should be paid to the development of the national scientific talents in hydrogeology, especially young scientific talents.