Funding programmes in Shanghai

Similarly to the National Enterprise Technology Centres under the Bases and Talents Programme (more details in the corresponding factsheet at this link), the Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre is a status given to certain Shanghai-based enterprises with strong conditions and capacities for innovation, and which contribute significantly to the local innovation and economic development.  Being recognised as Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre guarantees a series of preferential policies and benefits, and is designed to further stimulate enterprises to increase and enhance their R&D and indigenous innovation capacities.

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation is in charge of the daily management and operations of the programme.

Target:

Enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The candidate enterprise should meet the following basic requirements:

• Shanghai-based enterprises with independent legal personality, which are leaders within their industries and are in a position of strength concerning scale and competition. Their main products and services should be in line with both national and local development priorities, and should not be classified as “restricted” in the Shanghai’s Industrial Restructuring Negative List and Efficiency Guidelines.
• Possess optimised conditions for research, development, and experiment, as well as strong innovation capabilities and R&D spending.
• Possess core technologies, an independent brand, and efficient IPR management and protection mechanisms.
• Have leading technology talents and teams with rich experience and technology capacities within their fields.
• Clear development plan and objectives, with stable industry-university-research cooperation mechanisms, as well as effective innovation performance.
• Possess good credit, and should have been subject to any fraud or tax-related administrative or criminal punishment in the last two years.

The candidate enterprise should meet the following indicators:

• At least 300 million RMB of main operational revenue in the previous year (lowered to 200 million RMB for service enterprises). Alternatively, the candidate should have made new investments for at least 200 million RMB, and possess previous experience in implementing key major projects at either the national or municipal level.
• At least 10 million RMB of research, development or experiment spending in the previous year, accounting to at least 3% of the main operational revenue (note: the proportion may vary according to the enterprise size and industry, please refer to the Working Guidelines for the Recognition and Evaluation of Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre illustrated at the end of this factsheet).
• At least 10 million RMB worth of technology development instruments and equipment in the previous year (lowered to 6 million RMB for service enterprises).
• At least 60 personnel dedicated to research, development and experiments.
• Within the three years prior the application, the candidate should have generated at least six IPR (patents, software copyright, integrated circuit design, etc.) through indigenous innovation, and should have filed at least one innovation patent in the previous year.

What are the benefits?

Newly-recognised Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres will be automatically eligible to receive financial support granted by relevant national and local regulations in terms of project application, grants, talent development, etc. For instance, newly-recognised facilities based in Pudong New District and Minhang District will be eligible to receive “R&D Organisation” funding from the local administration; or the benefits granted to talents by the Pudong New District’s Financial Supporting Policy for Innovation Talents; etc. (see corresponding factsheets below).

Similarly to their national-level counterparts, Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres will also be granted particular priority when applying to local and national STI projects and funds.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in the first half of the year (mostly in April), on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is usually 4-6 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation’s Funding Project Management and Service Platform. Printed versions of the application must also be submitted to specific offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

According to the lists of results for 2017 and 2016 annual applications (links below), around one-tenth of new approved Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Among these, there are several cases of Shanghai-based wholly foreign-owned enterprises, such as: Zenner Meters (Shanghai) Ltd. and BOGE Elastmetall Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Germany); Magneti Marelli (China) Co., Ltd. (Italy); Paques Environmental Protection Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Netherlands); Delphi Shanghai Dynamics & Propulsion Systems Co., Ltd. (United Kingdom); Rayco (Shanghai) Medical Products Company Ltd. (Canada); NTN (China) Investment Corporation (Japan); etc. A few Sino-foreign joint ventures were also on the lists, such as SAIC Magneti Marelli Powertrain Co.,Ltd. (Sino-Italian JV between SAIC and Magneti Marelli).

Useful links:

Management Measures for Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres (Hu Jing Xin Fa [2017] No. 285)

Working Guidelines for the Recognition and Evaluation of Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres (Hu Jing Xin Fa [2017] No. 291)

2018 call for application (24^th batch)

2017 call for application (23^rd batch)

2017 list of approved enterprises (23^rd batch)

2016 list of approved enterprises (22^nd batch)

Similarly to the Engineering Research Centres at the national level, the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Research Centre is a status granted to certain Shanghai-based enterprises, research structures and universities operating in key strategic and emerging industries and committed to:

• Achieve breakthroughs in industrial core technologies through indigenous innovation
• Launch experimental research in key technologies
• Develop prototypes and key components of major equipment
• Engineering, commercialisation and application of technology results; and
• Fostering engineering technology talents.

They thus act as bridges between research and industry.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Operate in key strategic emerging industries (new generation ICT, high-end manufacturing, new materials, biomedical technologies, new energy and new energy vehicles, clean technologies, digital and creative industries)
• Possess a series of major and leading technology results, with good market prospects, but which still have not been developed at an engineering scale
• Possess leading capabilities and human resources for R&D and technology integration. Possess strong capabilities for effectively realise technology transfer, and for protecting intellectual property rights
• Enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply

What are the benefits?

• Priority access to municipal funds
• Support and endorsement in applying to the National Engineering Research Centre or National-Local Engineering Research Centre. Additional funding will be made available and cash rewards granted for successful applications, from both the municipal and district-level administrations.
• Preferential policies and administrative support in recruiting and retaining talents, including foreign ones.

When and where are calls published?

The Municipal Development and Reform Commission will publish calls for applications on an annual basis on its website. Applications must first be screened and recommended by district-level development and reform commissions.

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Research Centre (Trial) (Hu Fa Gai Gui Fan [2019] No. 2)

2019 call for application

High- and New-Technology Enterprise (HNTE) status is one of China’s core innovation tax policies under China’s Corporate Income Tax Law. The concept of HNTE status emerged in the 1990s to encourage investment in high-tech and R&D areas through a series of benefits including fiscal and tax incentives. The HNTE status offers qualified companies a significant reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

According to the latest revision of the Management Measures for the Recognition of High- and New-Technology Enterprises issued in January 2016 by MOST, MOF and SAT, enterprises must meet the following requirements in order to qualify to HNTE status:

• Being registered in Mainland China for at least one year before the application is submitted
• Own IP rights of the key technologies which show core support to the enterprise’s main products (services). Such rights may be obtained through independent R&D, transfer, donation, or mergers and acquisitions;
• The technologies which show core support to the enterprise’s main products (services) shall belong to one of the areas outlined in the Catalogue of High- and New-Technology Areas Specifically Supported by the State; *
• At least 10% of the total number of the enterprise’s employees should be engaged in R&D and related activities;
• R&D expenditures in the last three financial years should account to a certain percentage of the enterprise’s total sales revenue in the same period:
  • Over 5% if total revenue is below 50 million RMB;
  • Over 4% if total revenue is between 50 and 200 million RMB;
  • Over 3% if total revenue exceeds 200 million RMB.

In addition, at least 60% of the enterprise’s total R&D expenditure must be incurred in China

• Income derived from high- and new-technology products (services) should amount to at least 60% of the enterprise’s total revenue;
• The assessment of the enterprise’ innovation capabilities is in line with relevant standards;
• The enterprise should have not occurred any major safety or quality incident in the previous year, and should have not had any behaviour against the law

* Note: the Catalogue (available at this link in Chinese) lists more than 200 categories of technologies, products, and services in eight large technological areas. Those areas are: 1) Electronic information technologies; 2) Biological and medical technologies; 3) Aviation and space technologies; 4) New materials technologies; 5) High-tech services; 6) New energy and energy conservation technologies; 7) Resources and environmental technologies; 8) Transformation of traditional sectors through high- and new technologies.

What are the benefits?

• Reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT), from the standard 25% tax rate to 15%, regardless of the company’s investment type and where its headquarters are located.

Once approved, the HNTE status will last for three years, after which the application needs to be re-submitted.

Method of application:

Applicants must first conduct a self-evaluation of the eligibility criteria, and upload it through its account on the national HNTE Certification Management Platform. The applicant will then receive a 22-digit code by relevant authorities if the self-evaluation is compliant with the eligibility criteria for HNTE status.

Once new annual applications are announced, the applicant should apply through the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission, who is responsible for evaluating the application materials and for granting the final recognition of the HNTE status.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications are opened after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission, every year generally in the first months. The application period is usually divided into two batches, each lasting two to three months.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Domestic and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are equally eligible to apply as long as they comply with the requirements listed above. However, it is commonly believed that the eligibility requirements might be more challenging to meet for FIEs. **

Figures, however, show that FIEs are actively participating in the programme. According to the list of the second batch of approved HNTEs in 2018 (available at this link), 152 out 2,324 newly-approved HNTEs were foreign-invested enterprises. Although the majority consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, several cases of western wholly foreign-owned enterprises were also identified, including: TÜV Rheinland, Honeywell, BASF New Materials, Magneti Marelli, Siemens Healthineers, Loesche, PerkinElmer, etc. The vast majority were either German or from the US, although Japanese companies were also numerous.

** Note: for instance, The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China in its Position Papers argues that the requirement on core IP may create an uneven playing field between domestic and international companies. This would be because the main technologies of the Chinese affiliates of foreign companies in part may still rely on the main technologies and products initially developed outside China and is still owned there, despite these companies now playing an increasingly important role in the Chinese innovation ecosystem.

HNTE Cultivation Pool

Similarly to other municipalities or provinces across China (e.g. Jiangsu), the Shanghai municipality has also established a dedicated HNTE cultivation pool for potential HNTE candidates which still do not meet all the necessary requirements.

Enterprises selected in the HNTE cultivation pool will receive funding as well as training and other forms of support from the municipal administration, and will have two years in total for being officially recognised as national HNTEs.

The requirements for entering the cultivation pool are similar to those of the HNTE status, although less strict (e.g. R&D personnel should be 5% of the total instead of 10%; R&D expenditure on total revenue should be 3%). The specific selection procedures are specified in the Implementing Rules for Entering the Shanghai HNTE Cultivation Pool (Trial).

 

Useful links:

2018 application announcement

Implementation Measures for the Management of the High- and New-Technology Enterprise Recognition in Shanghai Municipality

The High- and New-Technology Transfer project is a status that is granted to any projects which conduct, for the first time, the transfer and conversion of high-tech results and generate samples, prototypes or services.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• The project’s core technology should be in line with the Catalogue of High- and New-Technology Areas Specifically Supported by the State;
• The project’s core technology may have been obtained through independent R&D, transfer, donation, or mergers and acquisitions, and should possess legal protection from China’s relevant IPR laws, as in the case of: invention or utility model patents granted within the past 3 years; creation, software or circuit layout, design and utilisation rights obtained within the past 2 years;
• Products produced by the project should pass relevant testing by relevant testing authorities appointed by the national Certification and Accreditation Administration or the Shanghai Municipal Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau. Products belonging to sectors regulated by special management measures should obtain relevant production permits accordingly;
• The products (services) generated under the project should be in line with the applicant’s scope of business as indicated in the business license, and should feature clear innovativeness compared to similar products, as well as strong market potential;
• The duration of each project is generally 5 years. Any changes occurred in the name or owner of the project should be reported to relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

Approved projects will, within their five-year duration period, obtain support in applying to other relevant ad hoc funds, discounted loans, talent attraction benefits, as well as in obtaining leasing or land utilisation discounts or exemptions.

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted at any time of the year (see below). Lists of approved projects are usually published every month on the website of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. Hard copy versions of the application materials should then be submitted to the Shanghai Municipal S&T Entrepreneurship Center, or to the Science and Technology Commissions of the district where the applicant is based.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 (seven batches), several foreign-invested enterprises are actively participating in the programme, with participation rates ranging from 2% to 17%. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved projects from joint ventures with European partners, or of wholly foreign-owned enterprises, was identified, such as in the cases of CASCO Signal Ltd (Sino-French JV); ClimaVeneta Chatunion Refrigeration Equipment (Italian WFOE); BARTEC Electric, BROSE Mechatronics, and Loesche (German WFOEs); Shanghai MAHLE Thermal Systems Co., Ltd (SMTS) and Garbsen Electric (Sino-German JVs); etc.

Useful links:

Management framework

Last batch of approved projects in October 2018

The Shanghai Technology Transfer “Boosting Plan” Programme was launched by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the Shanghai Technology Transfer Promotion Office. It grants subsidies to local enterprises in Shanghai that conduct transfer or commercialisation of certain technology results generated by local universities – which are the actors responsible for submitting the application to this programme. The Shanghai “Boosting Plan” Programme differs from the “High-Tech Technology Transfer” as the latter targets high-tech projects that generate samples, prototypes or services, and applications are submitted by enterprises themselves; it is very similar to the Minhang District Enterprise Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme (see corresponding factsheet below), with the only difference that in the “Boosting Plan” Programme eligible technology transfer projects to be implemented by enterprises must necessarily be chosen from a specific list of results published online (over 600).

Target:

All types of enterprises, but in particular high-tech SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered in Shanghai;
• Agreement with a local university for the transfer or development of a technology result included in the list of eligible projects (attached to the call);
• The contract between the enterprise and the university should have been signed or should be finalised in the months immediately preceding or following the publication of the call, and should be validated by relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

Enterprises will receive a subsidy amounting to 10% of the value of the technology transfer or technology development contract signed with the university or enterprise (for a maximum of 80,000 RMB).

Universities owning the technology results to be transferred by enterprises will also be reimbursed for expenses incurred for promotional activities.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, usually in the first half of the year, on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, as well as on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is generally short, and often requires the enterprise to have already reached an agreement with the university owning the technology result to be transferred.

Method of application:

Applications materials are submitted by the university owning the technology result to be transferred.

International participation: opportunities and figures

No figures or lists of approved technology transfer projects are available online, therefore it is not possible to assess the degree of participation of European enterprises. However, there are no indicators suggesting that European enterprises are not welcome in the programme, also given the fact that similar programmes (e.g. Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project, and Municipal Special Fund for SME Development) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets). In addition, the fact that applications are submitted by universities owning the technology results, and not by enterprises themselves, suggests that the entire process will likely be smoother and easier.

Useful links:

2018 annual call

2017 annual call

In order to deepen the transformation of Shanghai as a global innovation center, to respond to the “four news” of the current economy (new technologies new industries, new businesses, new models), and to stimulate the development of strategic emerging industries as well as the upgrading of traditional industries, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation has launched the “Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Special Programme”. The Programme differs from the Shanghai “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan”, which is managed and sponsored by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Structure:

The Shanghai Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Special Programme is divided into several chapters focusing on specific sectors or activities, for instance:

• Technological Transformation chapter: supporting industrial transformation, upgrading and restructuring in key traditional industries, through the introduction of new and advanced technologies.
• Industrial Technology Innovation chapter: supporting the commercialisation of key technological breakthroughs, and promoting the introduction and absorption of leading international technologies;
• Industrial Capacity chapter: supporting enterprises to accelerate the development and upgrading of the “four basics” (i.e. key basic materials, core basic components, advanced basic technologies, and industrial technological foundations), through application, indigenous innovation, or technology absorption;

Each of the above chapters publish their own annual calls, and have their own management frameworks. Other chapters include: High-end Smart Equipment breakthroughs and Demonstration; Productive Service industry; New Materials; Brand Development, etc.

Target:

Enterprises

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the specific, but generally these include:

• Entity registered in Shanghai municipality, with strong management and financial capabilities;
• The project for which the application is submitted should in general encouraged by local development guidelines (including negative lists), as specified in individual calls and management frameworks;
• Some chapters may require the project’s budget to exceed a certain amount (e.g. the technological transformation chapter requires at least 20 million RMB of investment for new equipment, devices, etc;
• The project for which the application is submitted should in general be ready to be launched, and its implementation should not exceed 3 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding varies according to the programme, but generally is as follows:

• Technological Transformation chapter: subsidy of up to 10% the project’s total budget;
• Industrial Technology Innovation chapter: subsidy of up to 50% the project’s total budget, starting from 1 million RMB to 8 million RMB;
• Industrial Capacity chapter: subsidy of up to 30% the project’s total budget (generally not exceeding 3 million RMB for normal projects, or 20 million RMB for key projects).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. The “Industrial Capacity” chapter” tends to publish two batches of application every year. The deadline varies according to the specific chapter, but it can be as short as 2-3 weeks (“Industrial Capacity” chapter), to over 2 months (“Industrial Technology Innovation” chapter), or are open throughout the entire year (“Technological Transformation” chapter).

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation’s Funding Project Management and Service Platform. Printed versions of the application must also be submitted to specific offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures

International participation rates vary according to the chapter. The one appearing the most welcoming for international actors is the Technological Transformation chapter: 23 out of 80 (28.8%) of projects approved in 2018 (1^st batch) belonged to FIEs, including wholly foreign-owned companies from Germany (BASF Application Chemical Co. Ltd, Covestro China, Benteler International AG), Italy (MTA Group, Bonfiglioli Group, Perfetti Van Melle), Netherlands (Philips Austria (AT&S), Sweden (Autoliv), United Kingdom (PMG Group), as well as from the United States (GE Healthcare AS, Amkor Technologies, Omnivision, H.J. Heinz), Switzerland (Oerlikon Metco, Schlinder), Israel (Raval A.C.S), Japan (Mitsui Chemical, Kao Corporation), etc.

International participation within the Industrial Capacity chapter is limited (only two Sino-foreign JVs with Chinese majority were included in the list of 33 approved projects).

The Industrial Technology Innovation chapter features good levels of international participation (8 out of 55 in the second batch of approved projects in 2018), although only one case involved a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (the German Zenner Meters (Shanghai) Ltd.). Another interesting case is the Sino-Italian JV Microport Sorin Crm (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Shanghai Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Special Programme (Hu Jing Xin Gui [2015] No. 101)

2018 call for application – Industrial Capacity chapter (2^nd batch)

2018 call for application – Industrial Capacity chapter (1^st batch)

2018 results – Industrial Capacity chapter (1^st batch)

2018 call for application (Technological Transformation chapter)

2018 results – Technological Transformation chapter (2nd batch)

2018 results – Technological Transformation chapter (1^st batch)

2017 results – Technological Transformation chapter (2^nd batch)

2018 call for application (Industrial Technology Innovation chapter)

2018 results – Industrial Technology Innovation chapter (2nd batch)

The Shanghai government has established a dedicated Special Fund with the purpose of increasing the openness of Shanghai and supporting the development of multinational companies’ regional headquarters and R&D centres in the municipality, through the provision of non-reimbursable financial assistance and grants.

Target, and eligibility requirements:

• Regional headquarters of multinational companies, defined as “wholly foreign-owned entities with independent legal personality, established in Shanghai through investment or entrustment, and which perform unique management and service competence in two or more countries within the same region”
• Foreign-invested R&D centres, defined as “agencies legally established by foreign investors in Shanghai to conduct R&D and experiments in the field of natural sciences, and whose main R&D content covers basic research, applied research, or product development”

What are the benefits?

• Establishment assistance:
  • 5 million RMB (paid over three years in three instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%) to regional HQs registered in Shanghai as invested companies after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 30 million USD and with more than 10 employees (100 employees for foreign-invested global R&D centres recognised after 10 October 2017).
• Leasing assistance:
  • 30% of leasing value for 3 years to regional HQs registered in Shanghai after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, with more than 10 employees, and whose office facilities are in line with office leasing standards of up to 8 RMB per day per square meter for a maximum of 1,000 square meters (100 employees for foreign-invested global R&D centres recognised after 10 October 2017).
• Awards:
  • Regional HQs registered in Shanghai after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, will receive awards (paid over three years in three instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%) if their annual turnovers amount to:
    1. Between 500 million and 1 billion RMB: one-time award of 5 million RMB;
    2. Between 1 and 1.5 billion RMB: one-time award of 3 million RMB;
    3. Exceeding 1.5 billion RMB: one-time award of 2 million RMB.

• Other assistance:
  • One-time award of 3 million RMB to Asia / Asia Pacific (or larger geographical scope) regional headquarters established for the first time after 1 January 2012 (or previously-existing regional quarters upgraded after the same date into Asia / Asia Pacific regional headquarters), with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, at least 50 employees, and with the senior management permanently residing in Shanghai.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications can be submitted anytime throughout the year (see below).

Method of application:

Applications must be submitted to industry and commerce departments of the district where the applicant is registered; after a preliminary screening and evaluation, the application materials are then submitted to the Shanghai Municipal Commerce Commission and Finance Department for final review and approval. The specific procedure and application materials are outlined in the Measures for the Utilisation and Management of the Special Fund for Encouraging the Development of Multinational Companies’ Regional Headquarters (Hu Fu Fa [2017] No. 79)

The Shanghai municipal government offers several subsidies to local entities and individuals applying, obtaining, and/or conducting patent-related activities. They aim to further stimulate resident actors to file high-quality patents and to boost their commercialisation, particularly in strategic emerging industries.

Structure:

Two types of subsidies exist: ordinary subsidies and special subsidies.

Ordinary subsidies refer to subsidies granted to alleviate the financial burden of submitting applications to intellectual property offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan, as well as foreign countries. These are:

• Mainland China patents:
  • New patent obtained: up to 2,500 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Annual patent fees: up to 1,500 RMB one-off subsidy at the end of the third year
  • First-ever patent obtained for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mainland China: up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Domestic innovation patents which have received a national patent award: up to 10,000 RMB one-off subsidy
• Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan patents:
  • Up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy to cover patent-filing expenses
• International patents:
  • PCT patents: up to 50,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Paris Convention patents: up to 40,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Annual limit for each applicant is set at 10 million RMB.

Special subsidies refer to subsidies granted to “patent model unit” or “patent pilot units” for activities relating to patent operation, protection and management. This category of subsidies usually amount to up to 400,000 or 600,000 RMB for a period generally lasting two years. The procedures for the recognition of such titles are e regulated by the Management Measures for the Recognition of Shanghai Municipal Patent Model or Patent Pilot Unit (Hu Zhi Ju [2017] No. 62).

When and where are application calls published?

This is an ongoing policy. Applications can be submitted anytime to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Office.

Note: applicants which have already received patent subsidies or funding either from the national level or from other municipal programmes, are not eligible.

Useful links:

Notice on the Amendment of the Shanghai Patent Subsidy Measures

The Minhang District Advanced Manufacturing Development Programme is an ad hoc programme established in 2018 by the Minhang Economy and Informatization Commission to support the development of the advanced manufacturing industry in the district, in line with Made in China 2025 and Internet+ strategies, and the Several Policy Opinions on Accelerating and Promoting the Development of Advanced Manufacturing Industry in Minhang District. The Programme focuses on smart manufacturing, ICT, manufacturing of advanced equipment, biomedicine, new materials, and upgrading of traditional industries. It targets various areas and forms of projects, such as technology innovation, commercialisation, construction or leasing, support to backbone enterprises, etc. (this factsheet will only introduce those more directly related to innovation).

Target:

Enterprises.

 

High-tech commercialisation projects

Eligibility requirements:

• Minhang district-based enterprises launching R&D or commercialisation of high-technology projects, or introducing and absorbing foreign advanced technology results;
• Particular priority granted to projects whose R&D or solid asset value exceed 2 million RMB, at least 30% of which should come from the applicant enterprise. During the implementation of the project, the applicant enterprise should generate at least 5 million RMB of sales revenue from commercialisation.

What are the benefits?

• High-tech commercialisation projects: 10% to 20% subsidy of the value of newly-introduced equipment and facilities (max 10 million RMB);
• Commercialisation projects of foreign advanced technology results: 10% to 30% of the project’s R&D expenditure (max 5 million RMB).

 

“Smartification” projects

Eligibility requirements:

• Minhang district-based enterprises launching projects for the establishment of smart production lines or smart factories, and whose projects have been recognised as municipal-level (or above) “demonstration application projects”.

What are the benefits?

• 10% subsidy of the value of investment for introducing new smart equipment and systems (max 10 million RMB).

 

“Leading enterprise” project

Eligibility requirements:

• Minhang district-based enterprises in strategic emerging industries or traditional competitive industries, whose annual tax expenditure in the year of application increased by 3 million RMB compared to the previous term, and exceeding a total 100 million RMB.

What are the benefits?

• Selected enterprises will be inserted into an internal database and will be granted priority when applying to new land supply. They will also receive an award of 1 million RMB per year.

 

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, generally in two batches, on the web portal of Minhang District government. The deadline for submitting applications was 2 months and a half for the first batch in 2018, and less than one month for the second batch in the same year (see links below).

Method of application:

A pre-application must be submitted via e-mail to the address specified in the annual call. After an initial screening (5 working days), written applications must be delivered to the address specified in the annual call.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the first batch of approved projects in 2018 (link below), 1 out of 25 “high-tech commercialisation projects” was awarded to a foreign MNC – Actia (China) Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd., Shanghai-based subsidiary of the French Actia Group.

Only 1 “Smartification project” was approved in the same year, implemented by the Chinese MNC Neusoft Corporation.

2 out of 6 “leading enterprises” project were assigned to foreign MNCs – the Italian Perfetti Van Melle Group; and Spirax Sarco Engineering (China) ltd, subsidiary of UK’s Spirax Sarco Group.

Useful links:

Several Policy Opinions on Accelerating and Promoting the Development of Advanced Manufacturing Industry in Minhang District

2018 call for applications (2nd batch)

2018 list of winners (1st batch)

2018 call for applications (1st batch)

The Minhang District Enterprise Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme was launched by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission. It grants subsidies to local enterprises in Minhang conducting transfer or commercialisation of technology results generated by universities or research structures.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered and paying taxes in Minhang district;
• Technology transfer should take place within Minhang district, and the applicant enterprise should be the assignee of the transfer;
• The applicant enterprise (assignee) should not have any formal relationship with the transferor;
• The value of the technology transfer project should exceed 500,000 RMB, and should be officially recognised by relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

5% subsidy of the expenses incurred by the enterprise for the transfer of technology (not exceeding a total of 500,000 RMB). The maximum annual amount of subsidies accumulated by one enterprise through different technology transfer projects is 2 million RMB.

Another similar programme (3% subsidy) also exist for local universities and research structures that allow enterprises to transfer or commercialise their technology results (see below).

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.

Method of application:

Applications materials must be submitted to the relevant administration bodies indicated in the announcement below.

International participation: opportunities and figures

No figures or lists of approved technology transfer projects are available online, therefore it is not possible to assess the degree of participation of European enterprises. However, there are no indicators suggesting that European enterprises are not welcome in the programme, also given the fact that similar programmes both at the district level (Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme) and municipal level (Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project, and Municipal Special Fund for SME Development) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets above).

Useful links:

Announcement on Initiating Enterprises’ Application for Technology Transfer Project

Minhang District University/Research Structure Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to institutes or enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or related fields. Managed and granted by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission and the Minhang District Commission of Economy and Informatisation, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

• Institute or enterprise with independent legal personality in Minhang district;
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR generated in the last 3 years through indigenous innovation,
• Solid technology development system and operations in place. At least 30% of the total employees should hold a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 10% of them should be R&D personnel. The value of equipment and machinery used for R&D activities should exceed 3 million RMB (official invoice must be submitted);
• Strong financial and economic capacities. Annual turnover should exceed 50 million RMB, of which at least 60% should originate from high-tech products or services (or at least the sales revenue of new products should account to 20% of the total sales revenue). A annual R&D expenditure in the previous year should amount to at least 5% of the annual turnover, or at least exceed 3 million RMB.

What are the benefits?

500,000 RMB granted to each newly-recognised “R&D Organisation”. R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between April and August, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017 (links below), respectively 3 out of 20 and 3 out of 17 newly-recognised “R&D Organisations” belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Although the majority were enterprises incorporated in or invested by Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners (such as Taiwan-based industrial sensor maker FineTek group, or ODM Inventec), there were cases of joint ventures with European partners (e.g. Shanghai NATHER Air Technology Co. Ltd, 75% controlled by Switzerland-based holding company Zehnder Group), or entirely owned by Europeans (e.g. At&S China Co. Ltd, subsidiary of the At&S – Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation”

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme is one of the four categories of large STI programmes funded by the Minhang district government. It specifically aims to provide financial support to enterprises to conduct research and development of strategic industrial technologies with strong market potential, with the objective to achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies.

Target:

Enterprises

Eligibility requirements:

• Technology enterprise registered in Minhang district for at least 2 years, and paying taxes in the same district;
• The project for which the application is submitted should be in line with local industrial development priorities;
• Solid financial, technical and management capacities to implement projects;
• Possession of IPR (including patents and software copyrights), or commitment to generate IPR at the end of the project for which the application is submitted;
• Priority granted to indigenous innovation projects whose total R&D investment exceeds 5 million RMB, and expected to generate at least 10 million RMB of sales revenue during the project period;
• Each project generally lasts 2 years.

What are the benefits?

800,000 to 1,000,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project. Specifically:

• Projects with score > 90: 1,000,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 80 and 89: 900,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 70 and 79: 800,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually around July, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2017 (link below), 4 out of 35 projects belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Two of these were two Sino-foreign automotive JVs with foreign majority, including Mitsubishi Electric (MESE), and Dixie Shanghai (subsidiary of the Canadian Dixie Electric Co. Ltd. The remaining two were SMEs invested by Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners.

Useful links:

Management Measures of Minhang District’s STI Programmes

2018 call for applications

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The Minhang District People’s Livelihood Technologies Programme is one of the four categories of large STI programmes funded by the Minhang district government. It specifically aims to provide financial support to enterprises to conduct technology and results application and demonstration in areas affecting people’s livelihood, such as agriculture, public security, environmental protection, ecology, public health, disaster prevention, etc.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Technology enterprise registered in Minhang district for at least 2 years, and paying taxes in the same district;
• The project for which the application is submitted should be in line with local industrial development priorities;
• Solid financial, technical and management capacities to implement projects;
• Possession of IPR (including patents and software copyrights), or commitment to generate IPR at the end of the project for which the application is submitted. A certificate of IP ownership or licensing, or permission for technology transfer, should be submitted;
• Priority granted to projects focusing on technology and results application and demonstration in agriculture, public security, environmental protection, ecology, public health, and disaster prevention;
• Each project generally lasts 1 to 2 years.

What are the benefits?

100,000 to 300,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project. Specifically:

• Projects with score > 80: 300,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 70 and 79: 200,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 60 and 69: 100,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually around July, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

None of the 44 projects approved in 2017 (list below) belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Despite this, the Minhang District People’s Livelihood Technologies Programme is still perceived to offer good opportunities to European SMEs, given the fact that similar programmes both at the district level (Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme) and municipal level (Municipal Special Fund for SME Development, and the Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets above).

Useful links:

Management Measures of Minhang District’s STI Programmes

2018 call for applications

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or in emerging and strategic sectors. Managed and granted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

Basic procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong district, with highly-efficient management, operation and accounting procedures;
• Solid R&D conditions and spending. The annual R&D intensity for enterprises with sales revenue > 100 million RMB should be at least 3%, or at least 6 million RMB for two consecutive years in case of enterprises with sales revenue < 100 million RMB;
• Solid R&D capacity and team, with at least 60% of the total employees being technology personnel holding at elast a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 25 ad hoc R&D personnel (or 15 if the applicant is a department within an enterprise);
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR; or experience in implementing central or local government STI projects.

Direct procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered in Pudong district, and with an R&D intensity exceeding 6% of the total sales revenue (as certified by relevant tax authorities).

What are the benefits?

• Up to 1 million RMB granted to each newly-recognised Pudong district R&D Organisation operating in microelectronics, software, biomedicine, and new energy vehicles (up to 800,000 RMB if operating in other sectors);
• Pudong district R&D Organisations that in the future are recognised as municipal-level or national-level R&D Organisations will receive additional funding (respectively up to additional 2 million RMB and 4 million RMB);
• Newly-recognised R&D Organisations with independent books and accounts, for the first three years will receive a 100% subsidy of the district-level component of value added, income, or profit taxes (reduced to 50% in the three following years);
• Every year, the best performing R&D Organisations will also be eligible to obtain the Key Enterprise R&D Organisation Subsidy Fund under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (see corresponding factsheet below);
• R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in August or September, on the webportal of the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is usually 4-6 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform.

Re-examination:

Each R&D Organisation every two years must take part to an re-examination conducted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The R&D Organisation title will be revoked in case the candidate does not meet relevant KPIs.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

According to the 2018 re-examination results (link below), over one-third of R&D Organisations are foreign-invested. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved R&D Organisations belonging to wholly foreign-owned enterprises was identified, such as in the cases of the Japanese OMRON Corporation, Siemens Shanghai Medical Equipment, the Marquardt Shanghai (Germany), ThyssenKrupp Presta Shanghai, GEFRO Shanghai (Germany), Lexian Softare (South Korea), AVL List Technical Centre Shanghai (Germany), InductoTherm Group (United States), Acxiom (United States), etc.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation” status

2018 call for application

2018 re-examination results

2017 call for application

The Pudong New District’s People Government has established an ad hoc programme for the 13^th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020) aiming at encouraging the clustering as well as the development in Pudong of major projects and resources in strategic and emerging industries. These industries specifically include: ICT, high-end equipment, new materials, biomedicine, new energy vehicles, new energies, environment-friendly technologies, digital and creative industries; as well as Pudong’s traditional competitive industries such as automotive and shipbuilding. The daily operations of the programme are managed by the Pudong New District’s Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

Target and eligibility requirements:

The programme supports the development of different categories of enterprises or projects, as long as they operate in strategic and emerging industries and are registered and pay taxes in Pudong New District:

Key Leading Enterprises, which must meet the following criteria:

• Recognised High- and New-Technology Enterprise status;
• Annual revenue from main business of at least 200 million RMB in the last three years, with an average annual growth of at least 5%;
• Annual taxes paid exceeding 20 million RMB for the last three years.

Key Competitive Enterprises, which must meet the following criteria:

• Recognised High- and New-Technology Enterprise status;
• Annual revenue from main business of at least 50 million RMB in the last three years, with an average annual growth of at least 10%;
• Annual taxes paid exceeding 8 million RMB for the last three years.

Key Nurturing Enterprises, which must meet the following criteria:

• Recognised High- and New-Technology Enterprise status;
• Annual revenue from main business of at least 15 million RMB in the last three years, with an average annual growth of at least 30%;
• Annual taxes paid exceeding 2 million RMB for the last three years.

Newly-introduced or newly-recognised High- and New-Technology Enterprises (see factsheet above under the municipal-level programmes).

Key industrial transformation projects relating to advanced manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, and green manufacturing. The following criteria must be met:

• Enterprise operating in strategic emerging industries, or in Pudong’s traditional competitive industries;
• Total project investment exceeding 10 million RMB;
• Annual taxes paid exceeding 2 million RMB for the last three years;
• Other requirements as indicated in annual calls for application, such as maximum duration of the project (e.g. max 36 months).

What are the benefits?

After official evaluation and approval, rewards are granted to each enterprise selected for the above categories. Rewards may be given every year for 5 years (Key Leading Enterprises, Key Competitive Enterprises, and Key Nurturing Enterprises), may be given every year for 2 years (newly-introduced or newly-recognised HNTE), or may be one-time grants (key industrial transformation projects).

When and where are calls published?

The Pudong New District’s Financial Support Policy for Boosting Strategic and Emerging Industries during the 13^th Five-year Plan (see link below) explicitly states that annual calls for application will be published every year by the Pudong New District’s Science and Technology and Economy Commission (Article 11). However, as of September 2018, calls for applications have only been published for key industrial transformation projects, on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government. Applications for the last 2018 annual call could be submitted in two rounds, with deadline being around 4 weeks for the first round, and around 6 months for the second round.

Method of application:

Applications for the key industrial transformation projects are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Financial Support Application System. Hard copy versions should also be submitted to the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Three of the nine key industrial transformation projects approved in 2017 belonged to foreign-invested enterprises, including two belonging to wholly foreign-owned enterprises: Kyowa Hakko Kirin China Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (subsidiary of the Japanese Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.), and Evergreen Packaging (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (subsidiary of the American Evergreen Packaging International B.V.). The programme therefore offers good opportunities for European enterprises, also considering that the same typology of industrial transformation project at the municipal level (i.e. the Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Special Programme”, see corresponding factsheet above) also featured a very high degree of international participation – close to 30%.

Useful links:

Pudong New District’s Financial Support Policy for Boosting Strategic and Emerging Industries during the 13^th Five-year Plan

Key industrial transformation projects, 2018 call for application

Key industrial transformation projects, 2017 list of approved projects

Key industrial transformation projects, 2017 call for application

In line with the previous five-year plan periods, during the 13^th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020) the Pudong New District’s People Government will continue to support and encourage domestic and international enterprises to establish or upgrade their headquarters in Pudong New District.

Target:

1) Foreign MNC regional headquarters; 2) large enterprises headquarters; 3) operational headquarters; 4) regional headquarters; 5) high-growth headquarters; and 6) international organisation regional headquarters.

Either newly-established (after 1 January 2016), or already-existing (established before 1 January 2016).

Eligibility requirements:

Foreign MNC regional headquarters are defined as entities with independent legal personality, established by a parent company registered overseas through investment or entrustment, and which perform unique management and service competence in one or more countries within the same region. They should meet the following requirements:

• Received approval from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, in line with the Regulations for Encouraging the Establishment of Multinational Corporations’ Regional Headquarters in Shanghai (Hu Fu Fa [2017] No. 9)
• Foreign-invested enterprise with independent legal personality;
• The total asset value of the parent company should exceed 400 million USD (or 300 million USD for service enterprises);
• The parent company should have already paid at least 10 million USD as part of the investment for company registration in China, and should control and manage at least three different entities in China or abroad. Alternatively, in case of valuable contribution to Pudong’s economic development, if the previous criteria are met and the parent company controls and manages at least six different entities in China or abroad, exceptions could be made;
• Registered capital of at least 2 million USD.

Large enterprises headquarters apply to doemstic companies.

Operational headquarters (including of foreign-invested enterprises) should meet the following requirements:

• Sales revenue in the previous year or in the year when the application is submitted should exceed 500 million RMB;
• The annual economic contribution in the previous year or in the year when the application is submitted should exceed 40 million RMB;
• Should be in charge of one or more of the following business lines: product procurement, distribution, sales, and accounting; R&D, manufacturing and product sales; services and trade services; fund management; etc.
• Has been entrusted by the global headquarters to conduct the operations of one or more of the above business lines covering the entire China region or the Asia-Pacific region (or wider scale).

Regional headquarters (including of foreign-invested enterprises) should meet the following requirements:

• Sales revenue in the previous year or in the year when the application is submitted should exceed 500 million RMB (with the exception of investment or R&D firms);
• The annual economic contribution in the previous year or in the year when the application is submitted should exceed 30 million RMB;
• Should be in charge, nation-wide or regionally, of one or more of the following business lines: operations, accounting, management, R&D, etc.
• Should control and manage at least three different entities within the region, one of which should have cross-province or cross-region operations.

High-growth headquarters (including of foreign-invested enterprises) should meet the following requirements:

• The annual economic contribution in the previous year or in the year when the application is submitted should exceed 8 million RMB;
• Possess IPR on core technologies (through indigenous innovation or permission), the R&D intensity in the previous year should be at least 5% of the enterprise operational revenue. Alternatively, the enterprise should possess a globally-innovative business model and have already concluded series C funding;
• The enterprise’s management and the main operational team should be based permanently in Pudong;
• Should control and manage at least three different entities within the region, one of which should have cross-province or cross-region operations;
• The enterprise’s business should be in line with Pudong’s development priorities;
• Priority could be given to “leading enterprises” (ranked among the top 50 enterprises in its field), or to those invested by a Fortune 500 company, China 500 company, China 500 private company.

International organisation regional headquarters are defined as representative offices of non-enterprise social organisations established in Pudong New District by renowned international organisations (agencies), and which perform unique management or service competence in one or more countries within the same region. They should meet the following requirements:

• Legally established representative office of non-enterprise social organisation;
• Has been entrusted by the global headquarters to conduct management or service operations in China or on a wider scale;
• The director/representative should be based permanently in Pudong.

What are the benefits?

After official evaluation and approval, rewards are granted to each headquarter selected for the above categories, and in some cases to their directors / management teams. Rewards may be given every year for 5 years, or every year for 3 years (high-growth headquarters). It is also expected that newly-recognised headquarters will be strongly supported by the local administration when applying to additional funding both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

No calls have ever been published (as of September 2018). It is expected therefore that applications can be submitted anytime throughout the year as long as the requirements are met.

Method of application:

Not indicated by relevant regulations. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Pudong New District’s Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

Useful links:

Pudong New District’s Financial Supporting Policy for Boosting the Development of the ‘Headquarter Economy’

Regulations for Encouraging the Establishment of Multinational Corporations’ Regional Headquarters in Shanghai (Hu Fu Fa [2017] No. 9):

Measures for the Utilisation and Management of the Special Fund for Encouraging the Development of Multinational Companies’ Regional Headquarters (Hu Fu Fa [2017] No. 79)

The “Subsidy Programme for Key Enterprise R&D Organisation”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, grants additional funding to:

• The best performing Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations”; and
• Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have recently been promoted to municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations

Around 80 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Target:

Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations” (see corresponding factsheet above); and Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have recently been promoted to municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations (see below for more details).

Eligibility requirements:

Pudong-based entities which have been recognised as Shanghai municipal-level R&D Organisations, and have not obtained corresponding subsidies. Municipal-level R&D Organisations include one of the following statuses (see corresponding factsheets above):

• Shanghai Municipal Engineering Technology Research Centre
• Shanghai Enterprise Technology Centre
• Shanghai Key Laboratory

Pudong-based entities which have been recognised as national-level R&D Organisations, and have not obtained corresponding subsidies. National-level R&D Organisations include one of the following statuses (see ”Bases and Talents Programme” at this link):

• National Engineering Technology Research Centre
• National Enterprise Technology Centre
• National Engineering Research Centre
• State Key Laboratory
• National Engineering Laboratory

Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations” which have scored as “excellent” during the biennial re-examination;

What are the benefits?

• Newly-approved municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations will receive a one-time subsidy corresponding to 20% of their R&D expenses incurred in the previous year, for a maximum of 3 million RMB (municipal-level) and 5 million RMB (national-level);
• Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have registered excellent scores in terms of R&D contribution, spending, and results, will obtain a one-time subsidy corresponding to 20% of their R&D expenses incurred in the previous year, for a maximum of 800,000 RMB (the subsidy can be obtained for a maximum of three times by the same R&D Organisation).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, generally divided in two batches (one for each half of the year), on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. The application deadline is usually not more than 3-4 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

Around one-fourth of the subsidies approved in 2018 and 2017 were granted to foreign-invested enterprises. This confirms the trend already registered in the recognition of the Pudong-district R&D Organisations status (see factsheet above). Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, instances of subsidies granted to wholly foreign-owned enterprises were identified, sucha s in the cases of of the Japanese OMRON Corporation, Siemens Shanghai Medical Equipment, the Marquardt Shanghai (Germany), ThyssenKrupp Presta Shanghai, Fengyi (Shanghai) Biotechnology R&D Center Co., Ltd. (wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Wilmar International), etc.

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the Key Enterprise R&D Organisation Subsidy under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (Hu Pu Ke [2016] No. 60)

2018 call for application (1^st batch)

2018 list of winners (1^st batch)

2017 call for application (2^nd batch)

2017 list of winners (2^nd batch)

2017 list of winners (1^st batch)

The “IPR Protection Programme”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, aims to increase the indigenous innovation capabilities of Pudong-based entities by providing grants and subsidies for expenses incurred for patent application, enforcement, valuation, etc. Around 40 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Structure:

The Programme is divided into five chapters, targeting:

• Grants / subsidies for innovation patents (domestic and international);
• Additional funding for IPR Pilot and Model Enterprise;
• Awards for outstanding IPR;
• Assistance for IPR enforcement;
• Major projects’ IPR valuation;
• IPR service agencies.

The “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” appears easier to access for foreign-invested enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• The applicant should be the first owner of the patent, and the address indicated in the patent application or certificate should be located within Pudong New District;
• Chinese innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2017;
• Foreign innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2016;
• Subsidies for foreign innovation patents can only be given for expenses incurred after 1 January 2015.

What are the benefits?

The benefits for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• 1,500 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent filed; 2,000 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent obtained;
• 7,500 RMB for each PCT patent filed; for each international patents filed (including through the PCT), 50% of the actual filing expenses will be subsidised, for a maximum of 20,000 RMB per patent per country filed; for each international patents obtained, 50% of the annual expenses will be subsidised every year for three years, for a maximum of 30,000 RMB per patent per year (the annual limit of grants/subsidies obtainable by one entity in one year is 1 million RMB).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform, or on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government. The application deadline is usually not more than 4-5 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

International patents filed by Pudong-based foreign-invested enterprises are also eligible for grants and subsidies under the Programme. According to the list of approved grants in 2017 and 2018, most of the awardees were in fact foreign-invested enterprises, although in the majority of cases these were invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese. Very limited instances of wholly foreign-owned enterprises were also identified, such as in the case of ACM Research (Shanghai), Inc. (US), Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Taiwan), and Fengyi (Shanghai) Biotechnology R&D Center Co., Ltd. (Singapore, belonging to Fortune 500 company Wilmar).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the IPR Protection Programme under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (Hu Pu [2016] No. 128)

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

2017 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

High- and New-Technology Enterprise (HNTE) status is one of China’s core innovation tax policies under China’s Corporate Income Tax Law. The concept of HNTE status emerged in the 1990s to encourage investment in high-tech and R&D areas through a series of benefits including fiscal and tax incentives. The HNTE status offers qualified companies a significant reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

According to the latest revision of the Management Measures for the Recognition of High- and New-Technology Enterprises issued in January 2016 by MOST, MOF and SAT, enterprises must meet the following requirements in order to qualify to HNTE status:

• Being registered in Mainland China for at least one year before the application is submitted
• Own IP rights of the key technologies which show core support to the enterprise’s main products (services). Such rights may be obtained through independent R&D, transfer, donation, or mergers and acquisitions;
• The technologies which show core support to the enterprise’s main products (services) shall belong to one of the areas outlined in the Catalogue of High- and New-Technology Areas Specifically Supported by the State; *
• At least 10% of the total number of the enterprise’s employees should be engaged in R&D and related activities;
• R&D expenditures in the last three financial years should account to a certain percentage of the enterprise’s total sales revenue in the same period:
  • Over 5% if total revenue is below 50 million RMB;
  • Over 4% if total revenue is between 50 and 200 million RMB;
  • Over 3% if total revenue exceeds 200 million RMB.

In addition, at least 60% of the enterprise’s total R&D expenditure must be incurred in China

• Income derived from high- and new-technology products (services) should amount to at least 60% of the enterprise’s total revenue;
• The assessment of the enterprise’ innovation capabilities is in line with relevant standards;
• The enterprise should have not occurred any major safety or quality incident in the previous year, and should have not had any behaviour against the law

* Note: the Catalogue (available at this link in Chinese) lists more than 200 categories of technologies, products, and services in eight large technological areas. Those areas are: 1) Electronic information technologies; 2) Biological and medical technologies; 3) Aviation and space technologies; 4) New materials technologies; 5) High-tech services; 6) New energy and energy conservation technologies; 7) Resources and environmental technologies; 8) Transformation of traditional sectors through high- and new technologies.

What are the benefits?

• Reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT), from the standard 25% tax rate to 15%, regardless of the company’s investment type and where its headquarters are located.

Once approved, the HNTE status will last for three years, after which the application needs to be re-submitted.

Method of application:

Applicants must first conduct a self-evaluation of the eligibility criteria, and upload it through its account on the national HNTE Certification Management Platform. The applicant will then receive a 22-digit code by relevant authorities if the self-evaluation is compliant with the eligibility criteria for HNTE status.

Once new annual applications are announced, the applicant should apply through the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission, who is responsible for evaluating the application materials and for granting the final recognition of the HNTE status.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications are opened after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission, every year generally in the first months. The application period is usually divided into two batches, each lasting two to three months.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Domestic and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are equally eligible to apply as long as they comply with the requirements listed above. However, it is commonly believed that the eligibility requirements might be more challenging to meet for FIEs. **

Figures, however, show that FIEs are actively participating in the programme. According to the list of the second batch of approved HNTEs in 2018 (available at this link), 152 out 2,324 newly-approved HNTEs were foreign-invested enterprises. Although the majority consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, several cases of western wholly foreign-owned enterprises were also identified, including: TÜV Rheinland, Honeywell, BASF New Materials, Magneti Marelli, Siemens Healthineers, Loesche, PerkinElmer, etc. The vast majority were either German or from the US, although Japanese companies were also numerous.

** Note: for instance, The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China in its Position Papers argues that the requirement on core IP may create an uneven playing field between domestic and international companies. This would be because the main technologies of the Chinese affiliates of foreign companies in part may still rely on the main technologies and products initially developed outside China and is still owned there, despite these companies now playing an increasingly important role in the Chinese innovation ecosystem.

HNTE Cultivation Pool

Similarly to other municipalities or provinces across China (e.g. Jiangsu), the Shanghai municipality has also established a dedicated HNTE cultivation pool for potential HNTE candidates which still do not meet all the necessary requirements.

Enterprises selected in the HNTE cultivation pool will receive funding as well as training and other forms of support from the municipal administration, and will have two years in total for being officially recognised as national HNTEs.

The requirements for entering the cultivation pool are similar to those of the HNTE status, although less strict (e.g. R&D personnel should be 5% of the total instead of 10%; R&D expenditure on total revenue should be 3%). The specific selection procedures are specified in the Implementing Rules for Entering the Shanghai HNTE Cultivation Pool (Trial).

 

Useful links:

2018 application announcement

Implementation Measures for the Management of the High- and New-Technology Enterprise Recognition in Shanghai Municipality

The High- and New-Technology Transfer project is a status that is granted to any projects which conduct, for the first time, the transfer and conversion of high-tech results and generate samples, prototypes or services.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• The project’s core technology should be in line with the Catalogue of High- and New-Technology Areas Specifically Supported by the State;
• The project’s core technology may have been obtained through independent R&D, transfer, donation, or mergers and acquisitions, and should possess legal protection from China’s relevant IPR laws, as in the case of: invention or utility model patents granted within the past 3 years; creation, software or circuit layout, design and utilisation rights obtained within the past 2 years;
• Products produced by the project should pass relevant testing by relevant testing authorities appointed by the national Certification and Accreditation Administration or the Shanghai Municipal Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau. Products belonging to sectors regulated by special management measures should obtain relevant production permits accordingly;
• The products (services) generated under the project should be in line with the applicant’s scope of business as indicated in the business license, and should feature clear innovativeness compared to similar products, as well as strong market potential;
• The duration of each project is generally 5 years. Any changes occurred in the name or owner of the project should be reported to relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

Approved projects will, within their five-year duration period, obtain support in applying to other relevant ad hoc funds, discounted loans, talent attraction benefits, as well as in obtaining leasing or land utilisation discounts or exemptions.

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted at any time of the year (see below). Lists of approved projects are usually published every month on the website of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. Hard copy versions of the application materials should then be submitted to the Shanghai Municipal S&T Entrepreneurship Center, or to the Science and Technology Commissions of the district where the applicant is based.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 (seven batches), several foreign-invested enterprises are actively participating in the programme, with participation rates ranging from 2% to 17%. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved projects from joint ventures with European partners, or of wholly foreign-owned enterprises, was identified, such as in the cases of CASCO Signal Ltd (Sino-French JV); ClimaVeneta Chatunion Refrigeration Equipment (Italian WFOE); BARTEC Electric, BROSE Mechatronics, and Loesche (German WFOEs); Shanghai MAHLE Thermal Systems Co., Ltd (SMTS) and Garbsen Electric (Sino-German JVs); etc.

Useful links:

Management framework

Last batch of approved projects in October 2018

The Shanghai Technology Transfer “Boosting Plan” Programme was launched by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the Shanghai Technology Transfer Promotion Office. It grants subsidies to local enterprises in Shanghai that conduct transfer or commercialisation of certain technology results generated by local universities – which are the actors responsible for submitting the application to this programme. The Shanghai “Boosting Plan” Programme differs from the “High-Tech Technology Transfer” as the latter targets high-tech projects that generate samples, prototypes or services, and applications are submitted by enterprises themselves; it is very similar to the Minhang District Enterprise Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme (see corresponding factsheet below), with the only difference that in the “Boosting Plan” Programme eligible technology transfer projects to be implemented by enterprises must necessarily be chosen from a specific list of results published online (over 600).

Target:

All types of enterprises, but in particular high-tech SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered in Shanghai;
• Agreement with a local university for the transfer or development of a technology result included in the list of eligible projects (attached to the call);
• The contract between the enterprise and the university should have been signed or should be finalised in the months immediately preceding or following the publication of the call, and should be validated by relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

Enterprises will receive a subsidy amounting to 10% of the value of the technology transfer or technology development contract signed with the university or enterprise (for a maximum of 80,000 RMB).

Universities owning the technology results to be transferred by enterprises will also be reimbursed for expenses incurred for promotional activities.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, usually in the first half of the year, on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, as well as on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is generally short, and often requires the enterprise to have already reached an agreement with the university owning the technology result to be transferred.

Method of application:

Applications materials are submitted by the university owning the technology result to be transferred.

International participation: opportunities and figures

No figures or lists of approved technology transfer projects are available online, therefore it is not possible to assess the degree of participation of European enterprises. However, there are no indicators suggesting that European enterprises are not welcome in the programme, also given the fact that similar programmes (e.g. Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project, and Municipal Special Fund for SME Development) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets). In addition, the fact that applications are submitted by universities owning the technology results, and not by enterprises themselves, suggests that the entire process will likely be smoother and easier.

Useful links:

2018 annual call

2017 annual call

The High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise is a programme launched more than 10 years ago by the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation, aimed at providing financial support to Shanghai-based high-tech MSMEs so to increase their domestic and international competitiveness. The programme is divided into two categories of projects:

• High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: for smaller enterprises
• High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: for more advanced SMEs

Target:

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises which have been granted HNTE status (see above).

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant shall be an enterprise with independent legal personality in Shanghai, and which has been recognised HNTE status;
• For manufacturing enterprises, the percentage of R&D personnel employed should not be below 10% of the total employees (20% for the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category); for software or S&T service enterprises, the percentage of R&D personnel employed should not be below 30% (50% for the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category);
• R&D expenditure in the last three financial years should account to at least 5% of the enterprise’s total revenue over the same period; the growth rate of the enterprise’s revenue or net profits over the same period should be above 20%;
• For manufacturing enterprises, the annual revenue in the previous year should be between 30 million and 100 million RMB (or 100 million to 1 billion RMB for the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category); for software or S&T service enterprises, the annual revenue should be between 20 million and 60 million RMB (or 60 million and 1 billion RMB for the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category);
• The enterprise should have capable personnel and team, strong market orientation and market-response skills, and solid and flexible management and incentive schemes. For the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category, the enterprise should have established an R&D body (technology centre, laboratory, testing platform) and R&D programmes, together with IPR protection and talent development mechanisms.

What are the benefits?

20% of the R&D expenses incurred within the project implementation period will be reimbursed by the municipal government upon completion of expected project deliverables, for a maximum of 1 million RMB per enterprise (1.5 million RMB for the High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise category). Additional funds should also be granted according to the same proportion by the municipal government where the enterprise is located.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in the first half, on a dedicated page of the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4-5 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017 (links below), respectively 17 out of 180 (9.4%) and 9 out of 161 projects (5.6%) belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. These however mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, such as ACM Research, 3TCloud, Microport, Ocamar Technologies Ltd, Ruking Emerson, Eques Technologies, etc. Nonetheless, evidence of wholly foreign-owned enterprises was also identified, such as the Shanghai-based affiliates of German textiles and fabrics manufacturer IBENA and measuring instruments manufacturer ZENNER, Austria-based automotive firm AVL, United States-based Anviz Global and Midas Electric, Singapore-based Akribis Systems and Nanofilm, MAXIMATOR, etc.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

2016 call for applications

2016 list of winners

The Shanghai Municipal Special Fund for SME Development is a programme launched in the past few years and sponsored by the Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. It is exclusively directed to SMEs, and offers support in various forms such as financial assistance, grants, loan interest subsidies, discounted loans, etc. Two categories of projects in particular are attractive for foreign-invested SMEs:

• Support Programme for SME Industry Upgrading;
• Training Programme for SME Restructuring and Listing.

Target:

SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements for the Support Programme for SME Industry Upgrading are:

• SMEs legally registered in Shanghai and with good taxation and banking credit;
• The maximum investment amount of the project for which the application is submitted should not exceed 20 million RMB, and equipment-related investment not exceed 3 million RMB;
• The project should be in its implementation phase (maximum 2 years of implementation), with date of completion usually being the year after the application is submitted;
• The project should be in line with national regulations for planning, energy and environmental protection, and safety; relevant procedures for project approval, funding, land utilisation and environment should have already been started;
• “Hidden champion” training companies will be granted priority support.

The eligibility requirements for the Training Programme for SME Restructuring and Listing are:

• Joint-stock companies which have filed pre-listing coaching materials to the Shanghai Securities Regulatory Bureau after 1 January 2015;
• Already registered with the corresponding district-level commission, and included in the pre-listing coaching database.

What are the benefits?

The Support Programme for SME Industry Upgrading grants two types of support:

• Loan interest subsidies to SMEs whose main source of investment comes from a financial loan, according to the rates published by the People’s Bank of China, and for a maximum of 3 million RMB for 2 years;
• Financial grants to SMEs whose main source of investment comes from their own funds, for up to 30% of the total project investment amount (maximum 3 million RMB).

The Training Programme for SME Restructuring and Listing grants a one-time award of 250,000 RMB.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis (in one single batch in 2018, and in two different batches in 2017), usually at the end of the previous year, on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. The deadline for submitting applications varies depending on the programme, but is usually not less than 4-5 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications. Hard copy versions of the application materials should also be submitted to relevant district-level authorities.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017, several foreign-invested SMEsare actively participating in the programme, with participation rates exceeding 10%. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved projects from joint ventures with European partners, or of wholly foreign-owned SMEs, was identified, such as in the cases of Shanghai ABB, Santoni (Shanghai) Textile Co. Ltd and Interfila Cosmetics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (Italian WFOEs), Hansgrohe Sanitary Products (Shanghai) Co Ltd (German WFOE), Albéa Plastics Packaging Shanghai, etc.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications (1^st batch)

2017 call for applications (2^nd batch)

S&T Innovation Vouchers were launched in July 2015 by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. They consist of small lines of credit – usually up to 100,000 RMB per year – provided by the local government to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurship teams to purchase, at discounted rates, scientific research services provided by certain research infrastructures and agencies based in Shanghai (state and local key laboratories, engineering centres, etc), such as testing, measurement, R&D cooperation, IP protection, etc.

Target:

S&T Innovation Vouchers are directed to two main categories of beneficiaries: MSMEs, and Entrepreneurship Teams.

Eligibility requirements:

The requirements for MSMEs to apply to S&T Innovation Vouchers are:

• Tax paying legal entity in Shanghai, whose scale is in line with MIIT’s Regulations on the Standards for Classification of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Gong Xin Bu Lian Qi Ye [2011] No. 300);
• Does not have any affiliation or direct relationship with the entity from which the applicant wishes to purchase research services.

The requirements for Entrepreneurship Teams to apply to S&T Innovation Vouchers are:

• Is not a legal entity;
• Established within an S&T incubators or entrepreneurship “nursery station” in Shanghai;
• The applicant’s project should involve R&D and/or testing for product development or conversion.

What are the benefits?

S&T Innovation Vouchers can be used to purchase, at discounted prices, scientific research services offered by institutions that have joined the Shanghai R&D Public Service Platform. Every year, up to 100,000 RMB worth of S&T Innovation Vouchers can be obtained from one applicant. Services can be purchased at a 50% discount rate for up to 50,000 RMB of value, and then at a 15% discount rate for the part exceeding 50,000 RMB.

When and where are application calls published?

S&T Innovation Vouchers can be used within specific 12-month time frames, which are specified in annual announcements published on the website of the Shanghai R&D Public Service Platform, as well as on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Method of application:

Applications to S&T Innovation Vouchers are submitted through the Shanghai R&D Public Service Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications. After approval, the owner of the S&T Innovation Voucher should browse and book the desired research service on the same platform.

Useful links:

2017-2018 S&T Innovation Voucher announcement

2016-2017 S&T Innovation Voucher announcement

Official factsheet (in Chinese)

The Shanghai municipal government offers several subsidies to local entities and individuals applying, obtaining, and/or conducting patent-related activities. They aim to further stimulate resident actors to file high-quality patents and to boost their commercialisation, particularly in strategic emerging industries.

Structure:

Two types of subsidies exist: ordinary subsidies and special subsidies.

Ordinary subsidies refer to subsidies granted to alleviate the financial burden of submitting applications to intellectual property offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan, as well as foreign countries. These are:

• Mainland China patents:
  • New patent obtained: up to 2,500 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Annual patent fees: up to 1,500 RMB one-off subsidy at the end of the third year
  • First-ever patent obtained for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mainland China: up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Domestic innovation patents which have received a national patent award: up to 10,000 RMB one-off subsidy
• Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan patents:
  • Up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy to cover patent-filing expenses
• International patents:
  • PCT patents: up to 50,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Paris Convention patents: up to 40,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Annual limit for each applicant is set at 10 million RMB.

Special subsidies refer to subsidies granted to “patent model unit” or “patent pilot units” for activities relating to patent operation, protection and management. This category of subsidies usually amount to up to 400,000 or 600,000 RMB for a period generally lasting two years. The procedures for the recognition of such titles are e regulated by the Management Measures for the Recognition of Shanghai Municipal Patent Model or Patent Pilot Unit (Hu Zhi Ju [2017] No. 62).

When and where are application calls published?

This is an ongoing policy. Applications can be submitted anytime to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Office.

Note: applicants which have already received patent subsidies or funding either from the national level or from other municipal programmes, are not eligible.

Useful links:

Notice on the Amendment of the Shanghai Patent Subsidy Measures

The Minhang District High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise is the district-level version of the Shanghai Municipal High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise. Funded by Minhang District Science and Technology Commission and the Minhang District Commission of Economy and Informatisation, the programme aims to provide financial support to projects launched by high-tech micro, small and medium-sized enterprises based in Minhang district. In addition to supporting applications for the municipal-level counterpart, the Minhang district High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise also offers two other categories of programmes:

• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: for more advanced enterprises
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: for smaller enterprises

Target:

Minhang-based micro, small and medium-sized enterprises which have been granted HNTE status (see “HNTE” factsheet under Shanghai Municipal Government section).

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise with independent legal personality in Minhang district, and which has been recognised HNTE status;
• For manufacturing enterprises, the percentage of R&D personnel employed should be:
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: > 10% of total employees
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: > 10% of total employees
• For software or S&T service enterprises, the percentage of R&D personnel employed should be:
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: > 30% of total employees
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: > 40% of total employees
• R&D expenditure in the last three financial years should account to at least 5% of the enterprise’s total revenue over the same period; the growth rate of the enterprise’s revenue or net profits over the same period should be above 20% (or 10% for Cultivation Enterprises);
• For manufacturing enterprises, the annual revenue in the previous year should be:
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: between 30 million and 100 million RMB
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: between 30 million and 100 million RMB. And at least 1.6 million RMB of taxes paid.
• For software or S&T service enterprises, the annual revenue should be:
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise: between 20 million and 60 million RMB
• Minhang High-tech “Little Giant” Cultivation Enterprise: between 10 million and 100 million RMB. And at least 800,000 RMB of taxes paid.
• The enterprise should have capable personnel and team, strong market orientation and market-response skills, and solid and flexible management and incentive schemes.

What are the benefits?

500,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project (two years of implementation), to be used mainly for innovation activities such as technology R&D, patent development, IPR protection, results commercialisation, establishment of laboratory facilities, talent development, etc.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in the first half, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017 (links below), respectively only 2 out of 26 and 1 out of 19 projects belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. All of them were joint ventures with Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners, or founded by foreign ethnic Chinese. Despite these low numbers, the Minhang District High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise programme is still perceived to offer good opportunities to European WFOEs, as it was the case for the same programme at the municipal level (see corresponding factsheet above).

Useful links:

Implementation Measures of the Minhang District’s Technology “Little Giant” Enterprise Project

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The Minhang District Enterprise Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme was launched by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission. It grants subsidies to local enterprises in Minhang conducting transfer or commercialisation of technology results generated by universities or research structures.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered and paying taxes in Minhang district;
• Technology transfer should take place within Minhang district, and the applicant enterprise should be the assignee of the transfer;
• The applicant enterprise (assignee) should not have any formal relationship with the transferor;
• The value of the technology transfer project should exceed 500,000 RMB, and should be officially recognised by relevant authorities.

What are the benefits?

5% subsidy of the expenses incurred by the enterprise for the transfer of technology (not exceeding a total of 500,000 RMB). The maximum annual amount of subsidies accumulated by one enterprise through different technology transfer projects is 2 million RMB.

Another similar programme (3% subsidy) also exist for local universities and research structures that allow enterprises to transfer or commercialise their technology results (see below).

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.

Method of application:

Applications materials must be submitted to the relevant administration bodies indicated in the announcement below.

International participation: opportunities and figures

No figures or lists of approved technology transfer projects are available online, therefore it is not possible to assess the degree of participation of European enterprises. However, there are no indicators suggesting that European enterprises are not welcome in the programme, also given the fact that similar programmes both at the district level (Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme) and municipal level (Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project, and Municipal Special Fund for SME Development) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets above).

Useful links:

Announcement on Initiating Enterprises’ Application for Technology Transfer Project

Minhang District University/Research Structure Technology Transfer Subsidy Programme

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to institutes or enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or related fields. Managed and granted by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission and the Minhang District Commission of Economy and Informatisation, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

• Institute or enterprise with independent legal personality in Minhang district;
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR generated in the last 3 years through indigenous innovation,
• Solid technology development system and operations in place. At least 30% of the total employees should hold a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 10% of them should be R&D personnel. The value of equipment and machinery used for R&D activities should exceed 3 million RMB (official invoice must be submitted);
• Strong financial and economic capacities. Annual turnover should exceed 50 million RMB, of which at least 60% should originate from high-tech products or services (or at least the sales revenue of new products should account to 20% of the total sales revenue). A annual R&D expenditure in the previous year should amount to at least 5% of the annual turnover, or at least exceed 3 million RMB.

What are the benefits?

500,000 RMB granted to each newly-recognised “R&D Organisation”. R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between April and August, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017 (links below), respectively 3 out of 20 and 3 out of 17 newly-recognised “R&D Organisations” belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Although the majority were enterprises incorporated in or invested by Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners (such as Taiwan-based industrial sensor maker FineTek group, or ODM Inventec), there were cases of joint ventures with European partners (e.g. Shanghai NATHER Air Technology Co. Ltd, 75% controlled by Switzerland-based holding company Zehnder Group), or entirely owned by Europeans (e.g. At&S China Co. Ltd, subsidiary of the At&S – Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation”

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

In order to assist and nurture the R&D capabilities of local technology enterprises and research structures, so that they become qualified to be recognised as “R&D Organisations”, the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission has also established an ad hoc “R&D Organisation Cultivation Programme”. The programme provides extensive training as well as support to candidates for applying to the “R&D Organisation” status after the end of their cultivation period.

Target:

Technology enterprises; enterprises with HNTE status; research structures; laboratories. Particularly in the fields of electronics and information, biomedicine, aviation and aerospace, new materials, new energy, resources and environment, advanced and smart manufacturing, and high-tech services.

Eligibility requirements:

• High-tech enterprise, HNTE enterprise, or research structure with independent legal personality in Minhang district;
• Possession of R&D equipment and team;
• Possession of indigenous IPR;
• Enterprise annual sales revenue of around 50 million RMB, with annual R&D expenditure amounting to at least 5% of the annual sales revenue, or at least reaching around 3 million RMB;
• Growth potential. At least 60% of the enterprise’s total annual income should originate from high-tech products or services, or at least the sales revenue of new products should account to 20% of the total sales revenue.

What are the benefits?

Candidates can attend several trainings organised by relevant bodies on the legal, regulatory and policy background of the “R&D Organisation” status, as well as tutoring on the application procedure and document submission.

Candidates that will be recognised “R&D Organisation” after their cultivation period will receive 500,000 RMB.

When and where are calls published? Method of application:

Candidature to the cultivation programme can be submitted throughout the year by phone or e-mail. Contact details can be found in the 2018-2020 work programme (link below). Trainings are usually organised every year in March/April.

Useful links:

2018-2020 Work Programme for the Minhang District “R&D Organisation” Cultivation Programme

The Minhang District SME Technology Innovation Programme is one of the four categories of large STI programmes funded by the Minhang district government. It specifically aims to provide financial support to technology SMEs to conduct R&D and innovative projects.

Target:

SMEs

Eligibility requirements:

• SME registered in Minhang district for at least 2 years, and paying taxes in the same district;
• The project for which the application is submitted should be in line with local industrial development priorities;
• Solid financial, technical and management capacities to implement projects. Total number of employees should be below 300, total asset value and annual turnover under 50 million RMB;
• Possession of IPR (including patents and software copyrights), or commitment to generate IPR at the end of the project for which the application is submitted;
• Priority granted to projects focusing on technology (product) R&D, manufacturing or services;
• Each project generally lasts 1 to 2 years.

What are the benefits?

100,000 to 300,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project. Specifically:

• Projects with score > 80: 300,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 70 and 79: 200,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 60 and 69: 100,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually around May, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 (links below), only 3 out of 194 projects belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. One was a Singaporean WFOE – Neutron (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, while the remaining two were either joint ventures with Chinese majority, or founded by foreign ethnic Chinese. Despite these low numbers, the Minhang District SME Technology Innovation Programme is still perceived to offer good opportunities to European WFOEs, given the fact that similar programmes both at the district level (Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme) and municipal level (Municipal Special Fund for SME Development, and the Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets above)

Useful links:

Management Measures of Minhang District’s STI Programmes

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

The Minhang District People’s Livelihood Technologies Programme is one of the four categories of large STI programmes funded by the Minhang district government. It specifically aims to provide financial support to enterprises to conduct technology and results application and demonstration in areas affecting people’s livelihood, such as agriculture, public security, environmental protection, ecology, public health, disaster prevention, etc.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Technology enterprise registered in Minhang district for at least 2 years, and paying taxes in the same district;
• The project for which the application is submitted should be in line with local industrial development priorities;
• Solid financial, technical and management capacities to implement projects;
• Possession of IPR (including patents and software copyrights), or commitment to generate IPR at the end of the project for which the application is submitted. A certificate of IP ownership or licensing, or permission for technology transfer, should be submitted;
• Priority granted to projects focusing on technology and results application and demonstration in agriculture, public security, environmental protection, ecology, public health, and disaster prevention;
• Each project generally lasts 1 to 2 years.

What are the benefits?

100,000 to 300,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project. Specifically:

• Projects with score > 80: 300,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 70 and 79: 200,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 60 and 69: 100,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually around July, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

None of the 44 projects approved in 2017 (list below) belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Despite this, the Minhang District People’s Livelihood Technologies Programme is still perceived to offer good opportunities to European SMEs, given the fact that similar programmes both at the district level (Minhang District Major Industrial Technology Breakthrough Programme) and municipal level (Municipal Special Fund for SME Development, and the Shanghai Municipal Tech Technology Transfer project) feature relatively high rates of international participation (see corresponding factsheets above).

Useful links:

Management Measures of Minhang District’s STI Programmes

2018 call for applications

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or in emerging and strategic sectors. Managed and granted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

Basic procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong district, with highly-efficient management, operation and accounting procedures;
• Solid R&D conditions and spending. The annual R&D intensity for enterprises with sales revenue > 100 million RMB should be at least 3%, or at least 6 million RMB for two consecutive years in case of enterprises with sales revenue < 100 million RMB;
• Solid R&D capacity and team, with at least 60% of the total employees being technology personnel holding at elast a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 25 ad hoc R&D personnel (or 15 if the applicant is a department within an enterprise);
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR; or experience in implementing central or local government STI projects.

Direct procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered in Pudong district, and with an R&D intensity exceeding 6% of the total sales revenue (as certified by relevant tax authorities).

What are the benefits?

• Up to 1 million RMB granted to each newly-recognised Pudong district R&D Organisation operating in microelectronics, software, biomedicine, and new energy vehicles (up to 800,000 RMB if operating in other sectors);
• Pudong district R&D Organisations that in the future are recognised as municipal-level or national-level R&D Organisations will receive additional funding (respectively up to additional 2 million RMB and 4 million RMB);
• Newly-recognised R&D Organisations with independent books and accounts, for the first three years will receive a 100% subsidy of the district-level component of value added, income, or profit taxes (reduced to 50% in the three following years);
• Every year, the best performing R&D Organisations will also be eligible to obtain the Key Enterprise R&D Organisation Subsidy Fund under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (see corresponding factsheet below);
• R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in August or September, on the webportal of the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is usually 4-6 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform.

Re-examination:

Each R&D Organisation every two years must take part to an re-examination conducted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The R&D Organisation title will be revoked in case the candidate does not meet relevant KPIs.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

According to the 2018 re-examination results (link below), over one-third of R&D Organisations are foreign-invested. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved R&D Organisations belonging to wholly foreign-owned enterprises was identified, such as in the cases of the Japanese OMRON Corporation, Siemens Shanghai Medical Equipment, the Marquardt Shanghai (Germany), ThyssenKrupp Presta Shanghai, GEFRO Shanghai (Germany), Lexian Softare (South Korea), AVL List Technical Centre Shanghai (Germany), InductoTherm Group (United States), Acxiom (United States), etc.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation” status

2018 call for application

2018 re-examination results

2017 call for application

The “Subsidy Programme for S&T-based micro, small and medium sized enterprises’ (MSMEs) Bank Loan Interest Rates”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, aims to stimulate the innovative development of S&T-based MSMEs, and to lower their costs for financing. Around 30-40 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Target:

S&T-based MSMEs which have obtained a loan from financial institutions

Eligibility requirements:

• MSME (with size in line with MIIT standards) whose pre-tax deduction amount for R&D expenditure in the previous year accounts to at least 1.5% of the operational income;
• Registered and paying taxes in Pudong New District.

Applicants who are still implementing other ongoing projects under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund are not eligible to apply.

What are the benefits?

For MSMEs that in the previous year have completed a principal and interest payment, up to 500,000 RMB of subsidies will be granted. The subsidy is based on the actual expenses incurred by the MSME for the principal and interest payment, which at the same time should not exceed 70% of the People’s Bank of China benchmark interest rate for loans valid in the period during which the annual call for applications were published.

The subsidy for the principal and interest payment incurred by the MSME will be based on 100% of the People’s Bank of China benchmark interest rate for loans valid in the period during which the annual call for applications were published, in one of the following three cases: 1) the applicant used IPR-based collateral; 2) it is the first loan ever taken; 3) the applicant is a micro-sized enterprise.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, generally in the first half, on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government, and/or on that of the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: figures and opportunities

International participation within the “Subsidy Programme for S&T-based micro, small and medium sized enterprises’ (MSMEs) Bank Loan Interest Rates” remains relatively low and limited mainly to joint ventures, rather than wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The reason is likely due to the broader difficulties that many foreign-invested MSMEs experience in accessing to credit in China. A few examples of Sino-foreign JVs which have obtained the subsidy include: Shanghai DEUTA Electronic & Electrical Equipment Co.,Ltd (Sino-German JV); Microport Sorin Crm (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd. (Sino-Italian JV); Accela ChemBio Co., Ltd. (ACC) and Fisher-Klosterman-Buell Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Sino-US JVs).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the “Subsidy Programme for S&T-based MSMEs’ Bank Loan Interest Rates” under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Hu Pu Ke [2016] No. 62)

2018 call for application

2018 list of results

2017 call for application

2017 list of results (2^nd batch)

2017 list of results (1^st batch)

The “Subsidy Programme for Key Enterprise R&D Organisation”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, grants additional funding to:

• The best performing Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations”; and
• Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have recently been promoted to municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations

Around 80 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Target:

Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations” (see corresponding factsheet above); and Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have recently been promoted to municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations (see below for more details).

Eligibility requirements:

Pudong-based entities which have been recognised as Shanghai municipal-level R&D Organisations, and have not obtained corresponding subsidies. Municipal-level R&D Organisations include one of the following statuses (see corresponding factsheets above):

• Shanghai Municipal Engineering Technology Research Centre
• Shanghai Enterprise Technology Centre
• Shanghai Key Laboratory

Pudong-based entities which have been recognised as national-level R&D Organisations, and have not obtained corresponding subsidies. National-level R&D Organisations include one of the following statuses (see ”Bases and Talents Programme” at this link):

• National Engineering Technology Research Centre
• National Enterprise Technology Centre
• National Engineering Research Centre
• State Key Laboratory
• National Engineering Laboratory

Pudong district-level “R&D Organisations” which have scored as “excellent” during the biennial re-examination;

What are the benefits?

• Newly-approved municipal- or national-level R&D Organisations will receive a one-time subsidy corresponding to 20% of their R&D expenses incurred in the previous year, for a maximum of 3 million RMB (municipal-level) and 5 million RMB (national-level);
• Pudong district-level R&D Organisations that have registered excellent scores in terms of R&D contribution, spending, and results, will obtain a one-time subsidy corresponding to 20% of their R&D expenses incurred in the previous year, for a maximum of 800,000 RMB (the subsidy can be obtained for a maximum of three times by the same R&D Organisation).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, generally divided in two batches (one for each half of the year), on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. The application deadline is usually not more than 3-4 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

Around one-fourth of the subsidies approved in 2018 and 2017 were granted to foreign-invested enterprises. This confirms the trend already registered in the recognition of the Pudong-district R&D Organisations status (see factsheet above). Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, instances of subsidies granted to wholly foreign-owned enterprises were identified, sucha s in the cases of of the Japanese OMRON Corporation, Siemens Shanghai Medical Equipment, the Marquardt Shanghai (Germany), ThyssenKrupp Presta Shanghai, Fengyi (Shanghai) Biotechnology R&D Center Co., Ltd. (wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Wilmar International), etc.

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the Key Enterprise R&D Organisation Subsidy under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (Hu Pu Ke [2016] No. 60)

2018 call for application (1^st batch)

2018 list of winners (1^st batch)

2017 call for application (2^nd batch)

2017 list of winners (2^nd batch)

2017 list of winners (1^st batch)

The “Key S&T Micro and Small-sized Enterprise Programme”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, aims to stimulate the innovation potential of S&T micro and small-sized enterprises. Around 45 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Programme.

Target:

S&T-based micro and small-sized enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

Micro and small-sized enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong New District, meeting the following criteria:

• The company size should be in line with MIIT’s guidelines for micro and small-sized enterprises;
• The company’s pre-tax deduction amount for R&D expenditure in the previous year accounts to at least 1.5% of the operational income;
• Established after 1 January 2008 (except for biomedical companies, in which case the requirement is 1 January 2003)

Applicants who are still implementing other ongoing projects under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund are not eligible to apply.

What are the benefits?

Based on the results of an annual evaluation (focusing on factors such as the company’s operations, R&D expenditure, IPR situation, talents attraction, financing condition), up to 50% of the pre-tax deduction amount for the applicant’s R&D expenditure in the previous year will be granted, for a maximum of 500,000 RMB. The same enterprise can only obtain this grant for a maximum of three times.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, generally in the first half, on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. The application deadline is usually not more than 3-4 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: figures and opportunities

International participation within the “Key S&T Micro and Small-sized Enterprise Programme” remains relatively low and limited mainly to joint ventures, rather than wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The reasons are unclear. A few examples of Sino-foreign JVs which have obtained the grant include: Anyuan Biology Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; Corigine (Shanghai) Semiconductor Co., Ltd (Sino-US JV); and Detroit Engineered Products (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Sino-US JV).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the “Key S&T Start-up Programme” under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Hu Pu Ke [2016] No. 61)

2018 call for application

2018 list of results

2017 list of results (2^nd batch)

2017 list of results (1^st batch)

The “IPR Protection Programme”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, aims to increase the indigenous innovation capabilities of Pudong-based entities by providing grants and subsidies for expenses incurred for patent application, enforcement, valuation, etc. Around 40 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Structure:

The Programme is divided into five chapters, targeting:

• Grants / subsidies for innovation patents (domestic and international);
• Additional funding for IPR Pilot and Model Enterprise;
• Awards for outstanding IPR;
• Assistance for IPR enforcement;
• Major projects’ IPR valuation;
• IPR service agencies.

The “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” appears easier to access for foreign-invested enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• The applicant should be the first owner of the patent, and the address indicated in the patent application or certificate should be located within Pudong New District;
• Chinese innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2017;
• Foreign innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2016;
• Subsidies for foreign innovation patents can only be given for expenses incurred after 1 January 2015.

What are the benefits?

The benefits for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• 1,500 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent filed; 2,000 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent obtained;
• 7,500 RMB for each PCT patent filed; for each international patents filed (including through the PCT), 50% of the actual filing expenses will be subsidised, for a maximum of 20,000 RMB per patent per country filed; for each international patents obtained, 50% of the annual expenses will be subsidised every year for three years, for a maximum of 30,000 RMB per patent per year (the annual limit of grants/subsidies obtainable by one entity in one year is 1 million RMB).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform, or on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government. The application deadline is usually not more than 4-5 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

International patents filed by Pudong-based foreign-invested enterprises are also eligible for grants and subsidies under the Programme. According to the list of approved grants in 2017 and 2018, most of the awardees were in fact foreign-invested enterprises, although in the majority of cases these were invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese. Very limited instances of wholly foreign-owned enterprises were also identified, such as in the case of ACM Research (Shanghai), Inc. (US), Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Taiwan), and Fengyi (Shanghai) Biotechnology R&D Center Co., Ltd. (Singapore, belonging to Fortune 500 company Wilmar).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the IPR Protection Programme under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (Hu Pu [2016] No. 128)

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

2017 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

S&T Innovation Vouchers are small lines of credit provided by the local administration to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to purchase, at discounted rates, scientific research services provided by certain research infrastructures and agencies based in Pudong. Around 2 million RMB worth of vouchers are usually allocated every year under the Programme.

Target:

S&T-based micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Eligibility requirements:

Micro and small-sized enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong New District.

• The company size should be in line with MIIT’s Regulations on the Standards for Classification of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Gong Xin Bu Lian Qi Ye [2011] No. 300)
• The company should meet the standards for “S&T-based” enterprise, as indicated in relevant municipal regulations (Hu Ke He [2016] No. 9).

What are the benefits?

S&T Innovation Vouchers can be used to purchase, at discounted prices, scientific research services offered by institutions that have joined the Shanghai R&D Public Service Platform, which have been registered within the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

Every year, up to 100,000 RMB worth of S&T Innovation Vouchers can be obtained from one applicant. Services can be purchased at a 40% discount rate of the contract value, and generally cover testing, measurement, R&D cooperation, IP protection, etc.

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted anytime throughout the year. Annual calls are also usually published every year specifying any new requirements or priorities, usually on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform, or on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: figures and opportunities

Foreign-invested micro and small-sized enterprises are active beneficiaries of the “S&T Innovation Vouchers Programme”, around 10% of the total, according to the list of results in 2017 and 2018 (links below). All of them, however, consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese; only two were wholly foreign-owned enterprises: Shanghai Apex Electronics Technology Co., Ltd (subsidiary of Philips; and Prinbury Biopharm Co., Ltd, although its team is formed by Chinese nationals).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the “S&T Innovation Vouchers Programme” under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Ke Jing Wei [2017] No. 150)

2018 call for application

2018 list of results (2nd batch)

2018 list of results (1^st batch)

2017 list of results (2^nd batch)

On 23 April 2019, the Science, Technology and Economy Commission of Pudong New District published a call for comments on a draft version of a series of Supporting Financial Measures to Boost the Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Micro and Small-sized Enterprises in Pudong. The deadline for submitting comments is 30 April 2019.

The draft document includes a total of five supporting financial measures that will be in place until 31 December 2020:

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Carriers: up to 3 million RMB per year granted to leading enterprises, VC firms or park development companies that have successfully established innovative incubators or accelerators
• Reducing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Costs:
  • 50,000 RMB to entrepreneurship teams who have won municipal-level (or above) entrepreneurship competitions, and have entered Pudong-based incubators
  • Up to 150,000 RMB per year of subsidies for innovation costs to incubated start-ups in Pudong-based incubators
• Scaling-up of Micro and Small-sized Enterprises:
  • Subsidy to micro and small enterprises which import/purchase key technological equipment/instruments, amounting to 20% of the investment cost (up to 1 million RMB)
  • Up to 1 million RMB to high-growth micro and small enterprises
• Establishment of Functional Platforms: up to 5 million RMB to leading enterprises, research institutes or park development companies which have established, in cooperation with other domestic or international enterprises, universities or research structures, open platforms serving the needs and purposes of micro and small-sized enterprises
• Enhancement of Public Services: up to 500,000 RMB to service firms which provide free or discounted services to micro and small-sized enterprises

The measures are retroactive starting from 1 January 2018.

External link:

http://www.pudong.gov.cn/shpd/news/20190423/006002_97337bc3-7145-4175-9d1e-7bd8de980b7a.htm?from=timeline&isappinstalled=0

The Shanghai municipality (similarly to other provinces in China) has established its own localised version of the Thousand Talents Recruitment Programme (1,000 Talents Plan), a dedicated programme designed for recruiting high-level scientists and talents from overseas. Specifically, it offers significant financial support to high-level overseas scientists and experts who decide to relocate to Shanghai for conducting research in high-tech industries or in new fields at the frontiers of science, or to participate in the country’s major scientific, engineering and innovative programmes, key laboratories, or in the financial and transportation sectors.

Difference with the national 1,000 Talents Plan

The programme differs from the national-level 1,000 Talents Plan, which is open to any applicant regardless their future location in China, and not exclusively in Shanghai. The typology of host institutions that can recruit foreign experts is also adjusted to better reflect the needs and features of Shanghai (e.g. financial and transportation sectors).

Similarly to its national counterpart, the Shanghai Municipal 1,000 Talents Plan is divided into different categories:

• Innovative Talents (Long Term): targeting scientists below 55 years of age from prestigious foreign universities, R&D structures, international companies or financial institutions, who are willing to return or come to Shanghai on a full-time basis
• Innovative Talents (Short Term): similar to the long term category, but targeting scientists returning or coming to Shanghai for at least 2 months each year and for at least 3 consecutive years with stable employers and clear work objectives. Non-ethnic Chinese foreign citizens can also apply
• Entrepreneurs: targeting entrepreneurs with overseas entrepreneurship background or holding mid/senior-level managing positions in renowned international enterprises, returning or coming to Shanghai for starting a business in strategic industries
• Foreign Experts: exclusively targeting foreign nationals (including non-ethnic Chinese) below 65 years of age who are willing to come to Shanghai to conduct research for at least 9 months per year for 3 consecutive years
• Cultural Talent and Artists: targeting talents with Ph.D. degrees and below 55 years of age who come to Shanghai to work in state-owned cultural organisations, universities, or particularly influential private organisations.

It does not, however, have a specific category for young talent.

Finally, the Shanghai 1,000 Talents Plan also differs from the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Programme as it does not target fresh graduates and entrepreneurs.

Target:

High-level scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs, Chinese and foreigner.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements vary depending on the category, but are in general similar to those of the national-level 1,000 Talents Plan (see this link). Other additional requirements may be added in annual calls.

What are the benefits?

The awardees will be conferred the title of “Shanghai Distinguished Expert”, and will be mainly granted substantial benefits and financial assistance in terms of working and living conditions, priority when applying to national and local-level R&D programmes and megaprojects, etc, similarly as the national-level 1,000 Talents Plan (see this link).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published on an annual basis, usually between June and August, on the dedicated Shanghai International Talent website.

Method of application:

Applications are not submitted directly by applicants, but from relevant Chinese institutions. The selection procedure is similar to that of the national-level 1,000 Talents Plan (see this link). A key prerequisite for each interest applicant is to first have an employment agreement with the Shanghai-based host institution. In many cases, host institutions will publish ad hoc job ads on their official channels for professorship or research positions specifically assigned through the municipal 1,000 Talents Plan, with earlier internal deadlines. Additional requirements relating to specific research fields, topics and specialisations may also be requested by single host institutions.

International participation: opportunities and figures

One category of the programme is specifically directed to recruit foreign (non-ethnic Chinese) talents. In addition, an analysis of the list of the 2018 results for the “Entrepreneurship” category, shows that over 20% of the awardees were affiliated to foreign-invested entities, although nearly the totality consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese experts.

Useful links:

Shanghai International Talent website

2018 call for applications

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners (entrepreneurship category)

The Shanghai Pujiang Talent Programme was established as early as 2005 by the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources Bureau and the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, with the aim to attract Chinese young talents from overseas and thus contribute to the Shanghai Innovation-driven Development Strategy. The programme differs from the municipal-level 1,000 Talents Plan as it targets fresh graduates and entrepreneurs already returned to China, and not high-level ones, thus having lower requirements and granting a lower level of support. The programme is divided into four categories:

• Category A (scientific and R&D talent): for natural sciences talents working in academia or research structures
• Category B (enterprise innovation and entrepreneurship): for talents working in enterprises (as employees or entrepreneurs)
• Category C (social sciences): for social sciences talents conducting innovation or entrepreneurship
• Category D (other urgently-needed talent): for other talents urgently needed in certain sectors, such as economic and finance, cultural promotion, material sciences, ICT, clinical medicine, etc.

Target:

Young Chinese scientists and entrepreneurs (foreign scientists and entrepreneurs can apply to the Shanghai 1,000 Talents Plan and the Scientific Research Innovation Programme of the Municipal Education Commission). Shanghai-based international enterprises, universities and research structures are strongly encouraged to support their Chinese scientists to apply to this programme.

Eligibility requirements:

• Employed in a legal entity registered in Shanghai, which shall ensure necessary human resources and working conditions;
• Below 50 years of age, returned to China not more than 2 years before the application in case of employment, or 4 years in case of entrepreneurship; the applicant should work in Shanghai full-time for at least 9 months per year.
• Has not previously obtained any national- or local-level funding;
• Has not applied to the Pujiang Talent Programme more than twice;
• Other requirements specific for each category of talent, e.g.:
  • Category A (scientific and R&D talent): Ph.D. degree with at least 2 consecutive years of study or specialisation experience abroad;
  • Category B (enterprise innovation and entrepreneurship):
    • B1 – employees: Ph.D. degree with at least 2 consecutive years of study or specialisation experience abroad (or 4 years with a Master’s degree)
    • B2 – entrepreneurs: Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of study or specialisation experience abroad; controlling shareholder of the company (or legal representative with at least 30% of shares).
  • Category C (social sciences talent): Master’s degree, and holding certain professional titles depending on their area of activity;
  • Category D (other urgently-needed talent)
• Projects generally last 2 years.

What are the benefits?

Category A: 200,000 RMB/person

Category B: 200,000 RMB/person

Category C: 150,000 RMB/person

In case of entire teams, funding will be up to 500,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published on an annual basis, usually in the last quarter, on a dedicated page of the website of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission or on the website of the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources Bureau. The deadline for submitting applications varies according to the category, but is generally not less than 4-5 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

This programme is specifically designed to attract young Chinese scientists and entrepreneurs, therefore foreigners are not eligible. An analysis of the application results in 2018 and 2017, however, shows that a small proportion of Chinese winners were affiliated to foreign-invested entities, especially in the categories A and B. This was the case, for instance, of Institut Pasteur Shanghai (category A, 2017), as well as one employee of the German Kostal (Shanghai) Management Co Ltd.

Useful links:

Management Regulations of the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Programme

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The Scientific Research Innovation Programme from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission was established in order to further encourage and guide local institutes of higher education to conduct basic research on topics in line with the city’s and the country’s development strategies. The programme is divided into three main categories of projects, one of which – the Major Projects – seem promising for international scientists, engaging in both social science and natural science research.

Target and eligibility requirements:

• Scientific professors employed by a Shanghai-based university which has the authority of granting Ph.D. degrees;
• There are limits on the number of projects that can be implemented every year by the same organisation and PI;
• The duration of each project is generally 5 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding is around 600,000 RMB per year per project, for a maximum of 3 million RMB over the five years of project duration.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on a non-regular schedule. The latest call for 2018 were published on the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System, while those for 2017 were published on the web portal of the Shanghai municipal government. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Each eligible university in Shanghai every year is allocated a certain number of projects. Applications are collected and pre-evaluated by the university, before being submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System for the Commission’s final evaluation and approval.

International participation: opportunities and figures

The requirement of being an university with the authority to grant Ph.D. degrees significantly limits the eligibility of China-based affiliates of European entities. Foreign PIs employed by Chinese universities, however, can be presented as PIs.

According to the lists of approved projects in 2017 and 2018 (see below), figures relating to international participation were low. Only 2 out of 70 Major Projects in 2018 were led by foreign PIs (one of which by an Italian PI employed by Fudan University, the other being an ethnic Chinese foreign national); while in 2017 no foreign PIs were assigned any projects.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

Management Measures of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission’s Scientific Research Innovation Programme

The Organisational Department of the Communist Party of China’s Shanghai Minhang’s Committee, and the Minhang District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, offer a series of incentives and supporting schemes to overseas returnees and foreign high-level talents who are willing to relocate to Minhang district for employment or entrepreneurship, thus contributing to local innovation development. Incentives offered are diverse and include research or entrepreneurship grants, housing allowance, human resources support, as well as other services such as social insurance, schooling for dependants, etc. These are summarised in the Operational Specifications for Accelerating the Introduction of Overseas and Foreign High-level Talent in Minhang District (Min Wei Ban [2016] No. 8).

Target:

• Winners of the Shanghai municipal-level or of the national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”;
• Minhang-based high-level entrepreneurs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Winners of the Shanghai municipal-level or of the national-level “1,000 Talents Plan” (see corresponding factsheet above for Shanghai; or this link for the national level);
• Entrepreneurs who establish a company in Minhang whose business scope is in line with the district’s industrial priorities and needs. At the same time they must also meet the following criteria:
  • Possession of the basic requirements to apply to both the Shanghai municipal-level and the national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”;
  • Company registered and paying taxes in Minhang district;
  • Main founder and largest shareholder of the company (generally holding at least 30% of the shares);
  • Below 55 years of age, with a Bachelor’s degree obtained abroad;
  • Possession of indigenous IP or mastering of core technologies with strong commercialisation potential, and that can fill in domestic technology gaps;
  • Previous entrepreneurship experience abroad, or previous mid-senior management experience in a globally-renowned company;
  • Willingness to bring technology, projects, and funds in Minhang.

What are the benefits?

• Supporting funds:
  • Winners of the municipal- or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”, category “entrepreneurship talents”: 1 million RMB
  • Winners of the municipal- or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”, category “long-term innovative talents”: 1 million RMB
  • Winners of the municipal- or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”, category “short-term innovative talents”: 500,000 RMB
• Entrepreneurship funds:
  • Entrepreneurs who establish a company in Minhang whose business scope is in line with the district’s priority areas: 300,000 RMB to 1 million RMB, depending if they have already or if they will successfully apply to either the municipal-level or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”.
  • Entrepreneurship parks and incubators located within the Zizhu High-tech zone, the Caohejing High-tech zone (Pujiang park), Xinmin Overseas Entrepreneurship Park (Xinzhuang Industrial Park), will receive up to 100,000 RMB for each resident overseas and foreign entrepreneurs that is awarded the municipal-level or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”.
• Housing support:
  • One-time subsidy for purchasing a house in Minhang: 250,000 to 500,000 RMB;
  • One-time subsidy for settling in Minhang: 250,000 to 500,000 RMB.
• Human resources and team-building:
  • Winners of either the municipal-level or national-level “1,000 Talents Plan”, who hire at least three core team members with a 5-year (or above) labour contract, and working in China for at least 9 months per year: 250,000 RMB to 1 million RMB.

When and where are calls published?

Application to the above funds are generally submitted every year in October to the Shanghai Overseas High-level Talent Recruitment Office.

New applications for the Shanghai municipal-level “1,000 Talents Plan” are published on a yearly basis – usually between June and August – on the Shanghai International Talent website.

New applications for the national-level “1,000 Talents Plan” are published on a yearly basis – usually in May/June – on the 1,000 Talents Programme’s official website.

Useful links:

Operational Specifications for Accelerating the Introduction of Overseas and Foreign High-level Talent in Minhang District (Min Wei Ban [2016] No. 8).

The Minhang District High-tech Entrepreneurship Talent Support Programme was established by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission with the objective of granting financial support and thus encouraging high-tech scientists and talents to start businesses within Minhang district.

Target:

Scientists, technology entrepreneurs.

Eligibility requirements:

• University professors, or technology personnel of research structures and enterprises who have founded a start-up within makerspaces or high-tech parks in Minhang district. The start-up should have been operating for over 12 months (but less than 2-3 years);
• The applicant should be the owner of at least one invention patent;
• The applicant should possess at least 30% of the start-up’s shares.

What are the benefits?

• Leaders of teams implementing ministerial or provincial-level (or above) projects, or core technology developers: 200,000 RMB;
• District-level (or above) technology leaders/talents: 150,000 RMB;
• Previous leaders of teams implementing technology development projects in universities, research structures and R&D organisations, or core technology developers: 100,000 RMB;

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published on an annual basis, usually in two batches – the first one published in the first half of the year, and the second one in the second half – on the dedicated Shanghai International Talent website, and on the Minhang Science and Technology Network.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications must be submitted in person to the office indicated in the call, usually within a time window of 4 days, two or three weeks after the publication of the call.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Lists of awardees are not published online and therefore it is not possible to assess the degree of international participation within this programme. However, there are no indicators suggesting that foreign entrepreneurs may not be eligible.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications (first batch)

2017 call for applications (second batch)

Similarly to the Shanghai Municipal government, Pudong New District has established an ad hoc talent programme targeting high-level technology talents working in Pudong-based entities as employees or entrepreneurs. The aim is to further encourage, attract and incentive the development of innovation talents in Pudong and thus enhance the district’s innovation development and capabilities. The programme is organised and managed by the Pudong New District People’s Government.

Target:

High-level technology talents working in Pudong-based entities as employees or entrepreneurs.

Eligibility requirements:

Enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong New District, and at the same time meeting one of the following conditions:

• Key Leading Enterprise, Key Competitive Enterprise, or Key Nurturing Enterprise in line with the requirements stipulated by the Pudong New District’s Financial Support Policy for Boosting Strategic and Emerging Industries during the 13^th Five-year Plan (see corresponding factsheet above).
• Enterprises recognised as “R&D Organisations” at the national-level, Shanghai municipal-level, or at the Pudong district-level.
• National-level R&D Organisations include: National Engineering Technology Research Centres, National Enterprise Technology Centres, National Engineering Research Centres (Laboratories), and State Key Laboratories (see the Bases and Talents programme at this link for more details).
• Shanghai municipal-level R&D Organisations include: Shanghai Engineering Technology Research Centres, Shanghai Enterprise Technology Centres, Shanghai Key Laboratories.
• Pudong district-level R&D Organisations include those referred to in the corresponding factsheet on this website page (see above)
• Enterprises implementing national-level or Shanghai municipal-level major projects:
• National-level major projects include: NDRC’s Strategic and Emerging Industry Development Fund; S&T Megaprojects; National Key R&D Programmes; MIIT’s Industrial Transformation and Upgrading (Made in China 2025) Fund; etc.
• Shanghai municipal-level major projects include: Shanghai Industrial Transformation and Upgrading Special Fund; Shanghai Software and Integrated Circuit Industry Development Special Fund; Shanghai “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan”; etc. (see corresponding factsheets above).

What are the benefits?

Rewards are granted to each newly-recognised talent (specific figures are unclear, but generally enterprises meeting the eligibility requirements at the national rather than municipal or district level will receive larger rewards).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year (last call in April 2018), on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is generally not more than 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Financial Support Application System. Hard copy versions should also be submitted to the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission.

Useful links:

Supporting Financial Policy for Innovation Talents in Pudong New District during the 13^th Five-year Plan Period

2018 call for application

In line with the State Council’s Plan for the Development of New Generation Artificial Intelligence (Guo Fa [2017] No. 35), the Implementation Measures for Accelerating the High-Quality Development of Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai (Hu Jing Xin Ji [2018] No. 569), and in order to support Shanghai’s development as a global artificial intelligence hub, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation has launched an ad hoc programme funding every year several projects targeting the R&D, application and commercialisation of artificial intelligence technologies.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements for applicants include:

• Entity with independent legal personality in Shanghai, good credit, and previous experience in delivery major projects;
• The project for which the application is submitted should have already been launched, or be ready to be launched, and its implementation period should generally be within 2 years;
• The applicant should be the main project implementing unit and the property owner. For technology application projects, the applicant should hold the core technologies (or alternatively should cooperate very closely with the provider of the core technologies). Commercialisation projects should feature very clear and distinct deliverables and KPIs;
• The project should have not obtained any funding or financial assistance from other municipal-level programmes;
• One applicant can only apply to one project;
• Other requirements specific in individual annual calls (e.g. the 2018 annual calls gave priority to projects which were scheduled to participate to the 2018 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and which had already been classified as “MIIT’s Artificial Intelligence-Real Economy Deep Integration Innovation Project”).

What are the benefits?

Funding of up to 30% the total project’s budget.

• Maximum 3 million RMB/project for projects with a total budget not exceeding 15 million RMB;
• Maximum 20 million RMB/project for projects with a total budget exceeding 15 million RMB.

Different standards may apply to megaprojects approved by the municipal government.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis (in June in 2018, and in September in 2017), on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. The deadline for submitting applications varies depending on the programme, but is usually within 4-5 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Online applications are submitted through the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications. Hard copy versions of the application materials should also be submitted to specific offices indicated in the application guidelines.

International participation: opportunities and figures

308 million RMB were allocated to fund 45 AI-related projects in 2017. None of them however belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. The vast majority (33) were private enterprises, including well-established AI companies such as iFlyTek, NIO, DGene, SIASUN, etc; the remaining were state-owned enterprises, one university, and one hospital.

In 2018, o2 out of 64 projects were allocated to foreign-invested enterprises, although in both cases these were joint ventures: Amlogic Semiconductors (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, a Sino-US JV (US majority) headquartered in Santa Clara; and Hesai Photonics Technology Co., Ltd (founded in Silicon Valley and then moved its headquarters in Shanghai following an angel investment)

Useful links:

Implementation Rules of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Innovation Development Special Programme

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 back-up projects

2017 list of winners

2017 call for applications

State Council’s Plan for the Development of New Generation Artificial Intelligence (Guo Fa [2017] No. 35)

Implementation Measures for Accelerating the High-Quality Development of Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai (Hu Jing Xin Ji [2018] No. 569)

The “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan” is one of the most ambitious programmes launched by the Shanghai municipality over a decade ago, with the purpose of supporting local actors to expand scientific research and innovation activities in various sectors. The Plan follows the development priorities and objectives of the Shanghai municipality as outlined in the local 13^th Five-year Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Structure:

The Plan is divided into several programmes focusing on specific sectors or activities, for instance:

• Basic Research programme (supporting universities and research structures to conduct basic research in areas such as neurosciences, life sciences, synthetic biology, physics, nanotechnologies, etc.);
• Agriculture programme (supporting enterprises, universities and research structures to conduct R&D and technology application in agricultural and rural areas);
• Biomedicine programme (supporting enterprises, universities and research structures to conduct R&D and technology application in biomedical areas);
• Clinical Medicine programme (targeting hospitals, although enterprises and other entities could also participate as consortium partners);
• Social Development programme (supporting enterprises, universities and research structures to conduct R&D and technology application in areas affecting the society such as new energy vehicles, smart transportation, social security, energy, etc.);
• Strategic Research Reagents programme (targeting enterprises, universities and research structures);
• Animal Experiment Research programme (targeting enterprises, universities and research structures);
• Scientific Instruments programme (targeting enterprises, universities and research structures);
• High- and New-Technology programme (mostly supporting enterprises to conduct research and application in strategic high-tech areas such as ICT, advanced manufacturing, new materials, new energy vehicles, etc.);
• High-tech “Little Giant” Enterprise (targeting SMEs, many of which are foreign-invested. More details below);
• S&T-based SME Technology Innovation Fund (providing financial assistance to high-tech SMEs, or to venture capital firms supporting innovative projects);
• Industry-University-Research Cooperation (supporting projects jointly implemented by enterprises, universities and research structures);
• Young Scientist / Technology Talent (targeting young scientists and technologists working in academic institutions or industry);
• Establishment of Shanghai Technology Engineering Research Centres and Technology Service Platforms (offering support to enterprises, universities and research structures that wish to establish a technology engineering research centre or a service platform);
• Establishment of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service System (targeting incubators and makerspaces).

In addition to regional projects supporting cooperation within the Yangtze River Delta region, a number of specific programmes also explicitly target international cooperation with foreign partners, for instance:

• Enterprise International S&T Cooperation Programme (targeting enterprises and SMEs);
• Intergovernmental S&T Cooperation Programme (targeting enterprises, universities and research structures);
• International Academic Exchange and Cooperation Programme (targeting universities and research structures);
• “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Programme (targeting enterprises, universities, research structures and labs, and young scientists).

These will be introduced more in detail in specific sections below.

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the programme, but generally include:

• Entity registered in Shanghai Municipality, with strong management and research capacities;
• Previous experience in implementing local-level programmes;
• Limit on the number of total applications that can be submitted every year, as well as on the number of projects currently under implementation by the applicant;
• Other sector-specific requirements, such as possession of relevant permits and certificates for conducting animal experiments, etc;
• The duration of each project is generally 2 to 3 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding varies according to the programme, but generally ranges from 400,000 RMB to 2.5 million RMB.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Shanghai-based affiliates of European multinational companies, universities and research structures can apply to any of the above programmes, as long as they meet the general eligibility requirements.

Lists of winners are, however, not published for any of the above programmes, and therefore no figures on European participation are available at this stage. This is in large contrast with other existing programmes in Shanghai which feature a high degree of transparency.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published on an annual basis, on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

Useful links:

Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, project database

The Minhang District Industry-University-Research Cooperation Programme is one of the four categories of large STI programmes funded by the Minhang district government. It specifically aims to provide financial support to technology innovation and technology transfer projects led by enterprises and participated by universities or research structures.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

• Consortium leader should be a technology enterprise, consortium partners should include universities and/or research structures. All should be registered in Minhang district for at least 2 years, and paying taxes in the same district;
• Solid financial, technical and management capacities to implement projects;
• Possession of distinct IPR;
• The project for which the application is submitted should focus on technology innovation or technology transfer.

What are the benefits?

100,000 to 300,000 RMB (paid in two installments) granted for each awarded project. Specifically:

• Projects with score > 80: 300,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 70 and 79: 200,000 RMB
• Projects with score between 60 and 69: 100,000 RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually around July, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 3-4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2017 (link below), 10 out of 107 projects belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises incorporated in or invested by Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners, or founded by foreign ethnic Chinese, there have been some cases of JVs with Western partners such as in the case of Zannan SciTech (Shanghai), a high-tech Sino-American JV engaged in R&D of chemicals and pharmaceuticals; and of Dixie Shanghai, subsidiary of Canadian Dixie Eletric Co Ltd, which manufactures alternators and starters for automotive application.

Useful links:

Management Measures of Minhang District’s STI Programmes

2018 call for applications

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

Pudong New District S&T Development FundThe Science and Technology Development Fund is probably the most ambitious funding programme launched by the Pudong New District People’s Government almost a decade ago. Its aim is to contribute to the affirmation of Pudong New District as a world major hub for science, technology and innovation. In 2017, more than 450 million RMB were allocated by the Fund.

 

Structure:

The Fund is divided into several programmes focusing on specific areas or activities, including:

• Supporting Funding for Key S&T Projects (providing additional finance from the district government budget to support Pudong-based entities implementing major S&T projects such as the Shanghai municipality’s “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan”, “High-tech Little Giant Enterprise”, etc).
• Subsidy Programme for Key Enterprise R&D Organisations
• Key S&T Micro and Small-sized Enterprise Programme
• Subsidy Programme for S&T MSMEs’ bank loan interest rates
• Subsidy Programme for High-tech Commercialisation projects
• IPR Protection Programme
• Incubator and Makerspace Programme
• S&T Awards Programme
• S&T Innovation Vouchers Programme
• Programme for Scientific Research on People’s Livelihood areas
• Plan for the Development of Entrepreneurs Leadership Skills
• Chinese Overseas Student Entrepreneurship Fund
• Post Doc Fund
• Government-led Fund

Detailed factsheets for those programmes more relevant for European actors (in bold) are provided below.

 

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the specific programme. In general, one applicant can only implement one programme at the same time.

 

What are the benefits?

Benefits and forms of support vary according to the specific programme. Most programmes will offer grants or subsidies.

 

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published individually for each of the above programmes, on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government, on that of the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission, and/or on the the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform, usually in the first half of the year.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Report on the Utilisation of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund in 2017

Similarly to the National Enterprise Technology Centres under the Bases and Talents Programme (more details in the corresponding factsheet at this link), the Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre is a status given to certain Shanghai-based enterprises with strong conditions and capacities for innovation, and which contribute significantly to the local innovation and economic development.  Being recognised as Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre guarantees a series of preferential policies and benefits, and is designed to further stimulate enterprises to increase and enhance their R&D and indigenous innovation capacities.

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation is in charge of the daily management and operations of the programme.

Target:

Enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The candidate enterprise should meet the following basic requirements:

• Shanghai-based enterprises with independent legal personality, which are leaders within their industries and are in a position of strength concerning scale and competition. Their main products and services should be in line with both national and local development priorities, and should not be classified as “restricted” in the Shanghai’s Industrial Restructuring Negative List and Efficiency Guidelines.
• Possess optimised conditions for research, development, and experiment, as well as strong innovation capabilities and R&D spending.
• Possess core technologies, an independent brand, and efficient IPR management and protection mechanisms.
• Have leading technology talents and teams with rich experience and technology capacities within their fields.
• Clear development plan and objectives, with stable industry-university-research cooperation mechanisms, as well as effective innovation performance.
• Possess good credit, and should have been subject to any fraud or tax-related administrative or criminal punishment in the last two years.

The candidate enterprise should meet the following indicators:

• At least 300 million RMB of main operational revenue in the previous year (lowered to 200 million RMB for service enterprises). Alternatively, the candidate should have made new investments for at least 200 million RMB, and possess previous experience in implementing key major projects at either the national or municipal level.
• At least 10 million RMB of research, development or experiment spending in the previous year, accounting to at least 3% of the main operational revenue (note: the proportion may vary according to the enterprise size and industry, please refer to the Working Guidelines for the Recognition and Evaluation of Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centre illustrated at the end of this factsheet).
• At least 10 million RMB worth of technology development instruments and equipment in the previous year (lowered to 6 million RMB for service enterprises).
• At least 60 personnel dedicated to research, development and experiments.
• Within the three years prior the application, the candidate should have generated at least six IPR (patents, software copyright, integrated circuit design, etc.) through indigenous innovation, and should have filed at least one innovation patent in the previous year.

What are the benefits?

Newly-recognised Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres will be automatically eligible to receive financial support granted by relevant national and local regulations in terms of project application, grants, talent development, etc. For instance, newly-recognised facilities based in Pudong New District and Minhang District will be eligible to receive “R&D Organisation” funding from the local administration; or the benefits granted to talents by the Pudong New District’s Financial Supporting Policy for Innovation Talents; etc. (see corresponding factsheets below).

Similarly to their national-level counterparts, Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres will also be granted particular priority when applying to local and national STI projects and funds.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in the first half of the year (mostly in April), on the web portal of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is usually 4-6 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatisation’s Funding Project Management and Service Platform. Printed versions of the application must also be submitted to specific offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

According to the lists of results for 2017 and 2016 annual applications (links below), around one-tenth of new approved Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Among these, there are several cases of Shanghai-based wholly foreign-owned enterprises, such as: Zenner Meters (Shanghai) Ltd. and BOGE Elastmetall Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Germany); Magneti Marelli (China) Co., Ltd. (Italy); Paques Environmental Protection Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Netherlands); Delphi Shanghai Dynamics & Propulsion Systems Co., Ltd. (United Kingdom); Rayco (Shanghai) Medical Products Company Ltd. (Canada); NTN (China) Investment Corporation (Japan); etc. A few Sino-foreign joint ventures were also on the lists, such as SAIC Magneti Marelli Powertrain Co.,Ltd. (Sino-Italian JV between SAIC and Magneti Marelli).

Useful links:

Management Measures for Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres (Hu Jing Xin Fa [2017] No. 285)

Working Guidelines for the Recognition and Evaluation of Shanghai Municipal Enterprise Technology Centres (Hu Jing Xin Fa [2017] No. 291)

2018 call for application (24^th batch)

2017 call for application (23^rd batch)

2017 list of approved enterprises (23^rd batch)

2016 list of approved enterprises (22^nd batch)

The Shanghai government has established a dedicated Special Fund with the purpose of increasing the openness of Shanghai and supporting the development of multinational companies’ regional headquarters and R&D centres in the municipality, through the provision of non-reimbursable financial assistance and grants.

Target, and eligibility requirements:

• Regional headquarters of multinational companies, defined as “wholly foreign-owned entities with independent legal personality, established in Shanghai through investment or entrustment, and which perform unique management and service competence in two or more countries within the same region”
• Foreign-invested R&D centres, defined as “agencies legally established by foreign investors in Shanghai to conduct R&D and experiments in the field of natural sciences, and whose main R&D content covers basic research, applied research, or product development”

What are the benefits?

• Establishment assistance:
  • 5 million RMB (paid over three years in three instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%) to regional HQs registered in Shanghai as invested companies after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 30 million USD and with more than 10 employees (100 employees for foreign-invested global R&D centres recognised after 10 October 2017).
• Leasing assistance:
  • 30% of leasing value for 3 years to regional HQs registered in Shanghai after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, with more than 10 employees, and whose office facilities are in line with office leasing standards of up to 8 RMB per day per square meter for a maximum of 1,000 square meters (100 employees for foreign-invested global R&D centres recognised after 10 October 2017).
• Awards:
  • Regional HQs registered in Shanghai after 7 July 2008, with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, will receive awards (paid over three years in three instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%) if their annual turnovers amount to:
    1. Between 500 million and 1 billion RMB: one-time award of 5 million RMB;
    2. Between 1 and 1.5 billion RMB: one-time award of 3 million RMB;
    3. Exceeding 1.5 billion RMB: one-time award of 2 million RMB.

• Other assistance:
  • One-time award of 3 million RMB to Asia / Asia Pacific (or larger geographical scope) regional headquarters established for the first time after 1 January 2012 (or previously-existing regional quarters upgraded after the same date into Asia / Asia Pacific regional headquarters), with a paid-in registered capital exceeding 2 million USD, at least 50 employees, and with the senior management permanently residing in Shanghai.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications can be submitted anytime throughout the year (see below).

Method of application:

Applications must be submitted to industry and commerce departments of the district where the applicant is registered; after a preliminary screening and evaluation, the application materials are then submitted to the Shanghai Municipal Commerce Commission and Finance Department for final review and approval. The specific procedure and application materials are outlined in the Measures for the Utilisation and Management of the Special Fund for Encouraging the Development of Multinational Companies’ Regional Headquarters (Hu Fu Fa [2017] No. 79)

The Shanghai Municipal Natural Science Fund was launched in 2016 in line with the city’s 13^th Five-year Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation. By funding every year several projects in the field of natural sciences, the Fund aims to encourage and support original innovative research and to contribute to talent growth in Shanghai. Two categories of programmes are funded:

• General programme: with no limits in terms of specific research topic or field
• Explorative programme: supporting young scientists to conduct frontier and cross-discipline explorative research in the areas of quantum manipulation, biomimetic materials, complex network systems and kinetics, new technologies and devices for smart sensing, and synthetic biology.

Target:

Universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant shall be an entity registered in Shanghai Municipality, with strong management and research capacities as well as solid conditions for international cooperation;
• The PI should be a scientific researcher with strong theoretic knowledge and independent research capabilities, with Master’s Degree or above or previous experience in implementing basic research topics;
• The PI for the category explorative programme should be below 40 years of age, and should have recommendation letters of at least 2 scientists/professors in the field;
• There are limits on the number of projects that can be implemented every year;
• The duration of each project is generally 3 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 200,000 RMB per project.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in the last quarter, on the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

China-based affiliates of European research structures can apply, as long as they meet the standard eligibility criteria listed above. Foreign PIs employed by Chinese institutions can also be presented as PIs.

According to the lists of approved projects in 2017 and 2018 (see below), figures relating to international participation were low, around 1%. Only 3 out of 500 projects in 2018 were assigned to international entities (two of which to Institut Pasteur Shanghai; and one to a CAS institute but with a Greek PI); while the number increases to 6 out of 500 projects in 2017 (two of which to Institut Pasteur Shanghai; two to New York University Shanghai, one of which was led by a foreign PI).

* These figures may in reality be slightly higher: in most cases China-based affiliates of EU entities or Sino-EU joint research structures are established within larger Chinese institutions (e.g. Tongji University), but the lists of winners currently available only indicate the general university/institution rather than which specifying department was assigned the project.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

The Scientific Research Innovation Programme from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission was established in order to further encourage and guide local institutes of higher education to conduct basic research on topics in line with the city’s and the country’s development strategies. The programme is divided into three main categories of projects, one of which – the Major Projects – seem promising for international scientists, engaging in both social science and natural science research.

Target and eligibility requirements:

• Scientific professors employed by a Shanghai-based university which has the authority of granting Ph.D. degrees;
• There are limits on the number of projects that can be implemented every year by the same organisation and PI;
• The duration of each project is generally 5 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding is around 600,000 RMB per year per project, for a maximum of 3 million RMB over the five years of project duration.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on a non-regular schedule. The latest call for 2018 were published on the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System, while those for 2017 were published on the web portal of the Shanghai municipal government. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Each eligible university in Shanghai every year is allocated a certain number of projects. Applications are collected and pre-evaluated by the university, before being submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System for the Commission’s final evaluation and approval.

International participation: opportunities and figures

The requirement of being an university with the authority to grant Ph.D. degrees significantly limits the eligibility of China-based affiliates of European entities. Foreign PIs employed by Chinese universities, however, can be presented as PIs.

According to the lists of approved projects in 2017 and 2018 (see below), figures relating to international participation were low. Only 2 out of 70 Major Projects in 2018 were led by foreign PIs (one of which by an Italian PI employed by Fudan University, the other being an ethnic Chinese foreign national); while in 2017 no foreign PIs were assigned any projects.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

Management Measures of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission’s Scientific Research Innovation Programme

The Shanghai municipal government offers several subsidies to local entities and individuals applying, obtaining, and/or conducting patent-related activities. They aim to further stimulate resident actors to file high-quality patents and to boost their commercialisation, particularly in strategic emerging industries.

Structure:

Two types of subsidies exist: ordinary subsidies and special subsidies.

Ordinary subsidies refer to subsidies granted to alleviate the financial burden of submitting applications to intellectual property offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan, as well as foreign countries. These are:

• Mainland China patents:
  • New patent obtained: up to 2,500 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Annual patent fees: up to 1,500 RMB one-off subsidy at the end of the third year
  • First-ever patent obtained for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Mainland China: up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy
  • Domestic innovation patents which have received a national patent award: up to 10,000 RMB one-off subsidy
• Hong Kong and Macao SAR, Taiwan patents:
  • Up to 3,000 RMB one-off subsidy to cover patent-filing expenses
• International patents:
  • PCT patents: up to 50,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Paris Convention patents: up to 40,000 RMB one-off subsidy per country (max 5 countries)
  • Annual limit for each applicant is set at 10 million RMB.

Special subsidies refer to subsidies granted to “patent model unit” or “patent pilot units” for activities relating to patent operation, protection and management. This category of subsidies usually amount to up to 400,000 or 600,000 RMB for a period generally lasting two years. The procedures for the recognition of such titles are e regulated by the Management Measures for the Recognition of Shanghai Municipal Patent Model or Patent Pilot Unit (Hu Zhi Ju [2017] No. 62).

When and where are application calls published?

This is an ongoing policy. Applications can be submitted anytime to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Office.

Note: applicants which have already received patent subsidies or funding either from the national level or from other municipal programmes, are not eligible.

Useful links:

Notice on the Amendment of the Shanghai Patent Subsidy Measures

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to institutes or enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or related fields. Managed and granted by the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission and the Minhang District Commission of Economy and Informatisation, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

• Institute or enterprise with independent legal personality in Minhang district;
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR generated in the last 3 years through indigenous innovation,
• Solid technology development system and operations in place. At least 30% of the total employees should hold a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 10% of them should be R&D personnel. The value of equipment and machinery used for R&D activities should exceed 3 million RMB (official invoice must be submitted);
• Strong financial and economic capacities. Annual turnover should exceed 50 million RMB, of which at least 60% should originate from high-tech products or services (or at least the sales revenue of new products should account to 20% of the total sales revenue). A annual R&D expenditure in the previous year should amount to at least 5% of the annual turnover, or at least exceed 3 million RMB.

What are the benefits?

500,000 RMB granted to each newly-recognised “R&D Organisation”. R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between April and August, on the Minhang Science and Technology Network. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

* Note: the Minhang Science and Technology Network will become inactive starting from November 2018. All relevant information will be migrated to the web portal of the Minhang District People’s Government.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Minhang Science and Technology Network Platform. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

International participation: opportunities and figures

According to the list of approved projects in 2018 and 2017 (links below), respectively 3 out of 20 and 3 out of 17 newly-recognised “R&D Organisations” belonged to foreign-invested enterprises. Although the majority were enterprises incorporated in or invested by Hong Kong or Taiwanese partners (such as Taiwan-based industrial sensor maker FineTek group, or ODM Inventec), there were cases of joint ventures with European partners (e.g. Shanghai NATHER Air Technology Co. Ltd, 75% controlled by Switzerland-based holding company Zehnder Group), or entirely owned by Europeans (e.g. At&S China Co. Ltd, subsidiary of the At&S – Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation”

2018 call for applications

2018 list of winners

2017 call for applications

2017 list of winners

In order to assist and nurture the R&D capabilities of local technology enterprises and research structures, so that they become qualified to be recognised as “R&D Organisations”, the Minhang District Science and Technology Commission has also established an ad hoc “R&D Organisation Cultivation Programme”. The programme provides extensive training as well as support to candidates for applying to the “R&D Organisation” status after the end of their cultivation period.

Target:

Technology enterprises; enterprises with HNTE status; research structures; laboratories. Particularly in the fields of electronics and information, biomedicine, aviation and aerospace, new materials, new energy, resources and environment, advanced and smart manufacturing, and high-tech services.

Eligibility requirements:

• High-tech enterprise, HNTE enterprise, or research structure with independent legal personality in Minhang district;
• Possession of R&D equipment and team;
• Possession of indigenous IPR;
• Enterprise annual sales revenue of around 50 million RMB, with annual R&D expenditure amounting to at least 5% of the annual sales revenue, or at least reaching around 3 million RMB;
• Growth potential. At least 60% of the enterprise’s total annual income should originate from high-tech products or services, or at least the sales revenue of new products should account to 20% of the total sales revenue.

What are the benefits?

Candidates can attend several trainings organised by relevant bodies on the legal, regulatory and policy background of the “R&D Organisation” status, as well as tutoring on the application procedure and document submission.

Candidates that will be recognised “R&D Organisation” after their cultivation period will receive 500,000 RMB.

When and where are calls published? Method of application:

Candidature to the cultivation programme can be submitted throughout the year by phone or e-mail. Contact details can be found in the 2018-2020 work programme (link below). Trainings are usually organised every year in March/April.

Useful links:

2018-2020 Work Programme for the Minhang District “R&D Organisation” Cultivation Programme

The “R&D Organisation” status is a recognition granted to enterprises (including specific departments responsible for technology and product development or related services) engaged in R&D and experimental development in natural sciences or in emerging and strategic sectors. Managed and granted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission, the “R&D Organisation” status provides financial support, as well as priority and support from local authorities when applying to additional funding programmes, both at the local and the national level.

Target:

Enterprises (including their R&D departments); SMEs; research structures; laboratories.

Eligibility requirements:

Basic procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered and paying taxes in Pudong district, with highly-efficient management, operation and accounting procedures;
• Solid R&D conditions and spending. The annual R&D intensity for enterprises with sales revenue > 100 million RMB should be at least 3%, or at least 6 million RMB for two consecutive years in case of enterprises with sales revenue < 100 million RMB;
• Solid R&D capacity and team, with at least 60% of the total employees being technology personnel holding at elast a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 25 ad hoc R&D personnel (or 15 if the applicant is a department within an enterprise);
• Possession of core technology, trademarks or technology results-related IPR; or experience in implementing central or local government STI projects.

Direct procedure:

• HNTE enterprise registered in Pudong district, and with an R&D intensity exceeding 6% of the total sales revenue (as certified by relevant tax authorities).

What are the benefits?

• Up to 1 million RMB granted to each newly-recognised Pudong district R&D Organisation operating in microelectronics, software, biomedicine, and new energy vehicles (up to 800,000 RMB if operating in other sectors);
• Pudong district R&D Organisations that in the future are recognised as municipal-level or national-level R&D Organisations will receive additional funding (respectively up to additional 2 million RMB and 4 million RMB);
• Newly-recognised R&D Organisations with independent books and accounts, for the first three years will receive a 100% subsidy of the district-level component of value added, income, or profit taxes (reduced to 50% in the three following years);
• Every year, the best performing R&D Organisations will also be eligible to obtain the Key Enterprise R&D Organisation Subsidy Fund under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (see corresponding factsheet below);
• R&D Organisations are also expected to receive strong endorsement and support by local authorities when applying to other funding programmes both at the local and national level.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually in August or September, on the webportal of the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The deadline for submitting online and written applications is usually 4-6 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform.

Re-examination:

Each R&D Organisation every two years must take part to an re-examination conducted by the Pudong New District Science and Technology and Economy Commission. The R&D Organisation title will be revoked in case the candidate does not meet relevant KPIs.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

According to the 2018 re-examination results (link below), over one-third of R&D Organisations are foreign-invested. Although these mainly consisted of enterprises invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese, a few instances of approved R&D Organisations belonging to wholly foreign-owned enterprises was identified, such as in the cases of the Japanese OMRON Corporation, Siemens Shanghai Medical Equipment, the Marquardt Shanghai (Germany), ThyssenKrupp Presta Shanghai, GEFRO Shanghai (Germany), Lexian Softare (South Korea), AVL List Technical Centre Shanghai (Germany), InductoTherm Group (United States), Acxiom (United States), etc.

Useful links:

Measures for the recognition of “R&D Organisation” status

2018 call for application

2018 re-examination results

2017 call for application

The “IPR Protection Programme”, under the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund, aims to increase the indigenous innovation capabilities of Pudong-based entities by providing grants and subsidies for expenses incurred for patent application, enforcement, valuation, etc. Around 40 million RMB are usually allocated every year under the Subsidy Programme.

Structure:

The Programme is divided into five chapters, targeting:

• Grants / subsidies for innovation patents (domestic and international);
• Additional funding for IPR Pilot and Model Enterprise;
• Awards for outstanding IPR;
• Assistance for IPR enforcement;
• Major projects’ IPR valuation;
• IPR service agencies.

The “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” appears easier to access for foreign-invested enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The eligibility requirements for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• The applicant should be the first owner of the patent, and the address indicated in the patent application or certificate should be located within Pudong New District;
• Chinese innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2017;
• Foreign innovation patents must have been filed or obtained after 1 January 2016;
• Subsidies for foreign innovation patents can only be given for expenses incurred after 1 January 2015.

What are the benefits?

The benefits for the “grants / subsidies for innovation patents” chapter are:

• 1,500 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent filed; 2,000 RMB for each Chinese innovation patent obtained;
• 7,500 RMB for each PCT patent filed; for each international patents filed (including through the PCT), 50% of the actual filing expenses will be subsidised, for a maximum of 20,000 RMB per patent per country filed; for each international patents obtained, 50% of the annual expenses will be subsidised every year for three years, for a maximum of 30,000 RMB per patent per year (the annual limit of grants/subsidies obtainable by one entity in one year is 1 million RMB).

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform, or on the web portal of the Pudong New District People’s Government. The application deadline is usually not more than 4-5 weeks after the date of publication of the annual calls.

Method of application:

Applications are first submitted online through the Pudong New District Enterprise Financing Service Platform. Hard copy versions will also need to be delivered to the offices indicated in annual calls.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

International patents filed by Pudong-based foreign-invested enterprises are also eligible for grants and subsidies under the Programme. According to the list of approved grants in 2017 and 2018, most of the awardees were in fact foreign-invested enterprises, although in the majority of cases these were invested or incorporated in Hong Kong, Taiwan or off-shore jurisdictions, or founded by foreign nationals ethnic Chinese. Very limited instances of wholly foreign-owned enterprises were also identified, such as in the case of ACM Research (Shanghai), Inc. (US), Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Taiwan), and Fengyi (Shanghai) Biotechnology R&D Center Co., Ltd. (Singapore, belonging to Fortune 500 company Wilmar).

Useful links:

Management Measures of the Pudong New District Science and Technology Development Fund (Pu Fu [2016] No. 128)

Operational Rules of the IPR Protection Programme under the Pudong District S&T Development Fund (Hu Pu [2016] No. 128)

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

2017 list of winners – “grants / subsidies for international innovation patents” chapter

The Enterprise International S&T Cooperation Programme is one of the several programmes under Shanghai’s ambitious “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan” sponsored and regulated by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (STCSM). The programme aims to incentivise Shanghai-based enterprises to cooperate with foreign companies on science, technology and innovation affairs, especially in the fields of Biomedicine; ICT; Energy and Environment; Materials Science; and Advanced Manufacturing.

Target:

Enterprises; SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant shall be an enterprise registered in Shanghai with a cooperation contract or agreement signed with the foreign partner. The contract/agreement shall clearly specify the period of cooperation, tasks and division of labour, as well as utilisation and division of newly-generated IPR;
• The proportion of funds allocated by the Chinese partner should not be below 2:1 with the government funds requested during the application;
• The project shall be able to generate several intellectual property rights, which must be converted and applied within the Shanghai municipality;
• The applicant shall guarantee that there exist no patent (technology) licensing or equity participation between the partners;
• Project tasks involving the utilisation or genetic resources should submit relevant licenses and permissions during the application process;
• The duration of each project is generally 3 years;
• China-based affiliates of European MNCs can apply as Chinese party (although the project team has no evidence since statistics or figures on past annual calls are not available).

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 1 million RMB per project.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between April to September, on the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

The Intergovernmental S&T Cooperation Programme is one of the several programmes under Shanghai’s ambitious “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan” sponsored and regulated by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The programme aims to support Shanghai-based enterprises, institutes of higher education and research structures to conduct R&D cooperation with partners from certain countries and regions, especially in the fields of: Biomedicine; ICT; Energy and Environment; Materials Science; and Advanced Manufacturing.

Target:

Enterprise; university; research structure

Eligibility requirements

• The applicant shall be an entity registered in Shanghai Municipality, with strong management and research capacities as well as solid conditions for international cooperation;
• The applicant’s foreign partner must be from countries or regions that have signed an official cooperation agreement or MoU with the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. These include:
  • United Kingdom; Hungary; Lithuania; Croatia; Belarus; Finland;
  • Baden-Württemberg (Germany); Rhone-Alpes (France); Midtjylland (Denmark);
  • Israel
  • Queensland (Australia); Dunedin City (New Zealand);
  • Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario (Canada);
  • Cambodia; Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

• The applicant must provide copies of the certificates or statement of the foreign partner’s government to financially support the project. An official cooperation agreement between the Chinese and foreign partner should also be submitted, specifying the period of cooperation, tasks and division of labour, as well as the proportion of funding provided by each party;
• In case the consortium leader is an enterprise, the proportion of funds allocated by it should not be below 2:1 with the government funds requested during the application;
• Proposals requiring high-level talents and teams to come to Shanghai are encouraged;
• The duration of each project is generally 3 years;
• China-based affiliates of European MNCs can apply as Chinese party (although the project team has no evidence since statistics or figures on past annual calls are not available).

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 500,000 RMB per project.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year on a non-regular schedule, on the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

The International Academic Exchange and Cooperation Programme is one of the several programmes under Shanghai’s ambitious “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan” sponsored and regulated by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (STCSM). The programme aims to incentivise Shanghai-based academic and research institutions to conduct high-level cooperation and exchange projects with overseas partners, so to enhance the level of contribution of foreign resources to Shanghai’s innovation development.

Target:

Universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant shall be an institute of higher education or a research structure registered in Shanghai;
• Applicants with already solid cooperation basis and valuable achievements with the foreign partner will be prioritised;
• Project tasks involving the utilisation or genetic resources should submit relevant licenses and permissions during the application process;
• The duration of each project is generally 3 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 300,000 RMB per project.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between April to September, on the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

The “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Programme is one of the several programmes under Shanghai’s ambitious “Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan” sponsored and regulated by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (STCSM). The programme in turn has established several specific chapters targeting particular areas, such as international joint laboratories, young scientist exchanges, and technology transfer services, with the aim of strengthening science and technology exchanges and cooperation ties between Chinese entities and countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative. Only partners officially participating in the Belt and Road initiative are eligible:

• East Asia: Mongolia; ASEAN countries;
• Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan;
• West Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Turkey;
• South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka;
• Commonwealth of Independent States: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova;
• Central and Eastern Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus

 

International Joint Laboratories chapter

The International Joint Laboratories chapter aims to establish, in the field of natural sciences, solid research platforms and facilities through the promotion of joint research, talent exchange and development between the Chinese and foreign partner, enabling them to develop the capacities for launching major scientific and megaprojects in the future.

Target and eligibility requirements:

• State or Shanghai Municipal Key Laboratory affiliated to a Shanghai-based entity;
• Consortium shall feature a “1+N” structure, where “1” refers to the Chinese applicant, and “N” refers to partners from BRI countries and regions (see list above);
• The partners should have good and complementary conditions and capacities for research, and should have solid cooperation basis; a cooperation contract or agreement must be signed with the foreign partner, clearly specify the period of cooperation, tasks and division of labour, as well as the intended utilisation mechanisms of newly-generated IPR;
• The duration of each project is generally 3 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 1.5 million RMB per project.

 

Young Scientist Exchange chapter

The Young Scientist Exchange chapter aims to attract young talents from BRI countries to conduct research, in the field of natural sciences, within Shanghai-based domestic universities and research structures, thus contributing to the establishment of long-term cooperation between Shanghai and the relevant country or region.

Target and eligibility requirements:

• University, research structure or enterprise registered in Shanghai, with solid research and project management capacities and conditions to host foreign young scientists;
• Each project should invite at least 1 young scientist from BRI countries and regions (see list above) to conduct research in the Shanghai-based host for at least 12 cumulative months;
• The foreign young scientist should: (i) be a national from one of the BRI countries and regions (see list above); (ii) be employed full-time in scientific research in the foreign country; (iii) be below 45 years of age; (iv) guarantee his/her permanence in Shanghai throughout the project duration;
• The duration of each project is generally 2 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 300,000 RMB per project, at least 50% of which to be entirely directed to the foreign young scientist.

 

Technology Transfer Services chapter

The Technology Transfer Services chapter aims to contribute to the formation of service platforms (technology transfer agencies or S&T parks) effectively boosting the cross-border transfer and commercialisation of technology results. The chapter particularly encourages and supports the establishment of joint technology transfer agencies and S&T parks with BRI countries (see list above), which shall provide professional services such as technology matchmaking, legal and IPR counsel, results conversion, financing, incubation, standardisation cooperation, etc.

Target and eligibility requirements:

• University, research structure or enterprise registered in Shanghai, with solid research and project management capacities and conditions for launching international cooperation;
• The foreign partner should be from BRI countries and regions (see list above);
• The applicant should submit the cooperation agreement with the foreign partner, clearly specifying the period of cooperation, tasks and division of labour, as well as the intended allocation of profits;
• In case the consortium leader is an enterprise, the proportion of funds allocated by it should not be below 2:1 with the government funds requested during the application;
• Limits on the maximum number of municipal project that the team leader can implement at the same time;
• The duration of each project is generally 2 years.

What are the benefits?

Funding for up to 600,000 RMB per project.

 

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published every year, usually between June and August, on the web portal of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications

The Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone Special Development Fund was established by the Shanghai municipal government in cooperation with the district governments where each of the parks forming the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone are established. It aims to support the development of Zhangjiang into a global innovation hub, gathering world-class actors, talents and facilities, and offering effective S&T services. Funding for the 13^th Five-year period (2016-2020) will amount to 8.5 billion RMB.

Structure:

The Zhangjiang Special Development Fund supports projects and activities in the following five areas:

• Optimisation of public services, particularly aimed at enhancing the capabilities and services of “mass innovation and entrepreneurship” makerspaces, incubators, accelerators, fintech platforms;
• Nurturing of high-level talents, particularly aimed at attracting and retaining world-class scientists and entrepreneurs, and at increasing talent mobility among industry, university and research;
• Promotion of technology transfer, aimed at promoting the introduction and application of new products, technologies and models in Zhangjiang, and at stimulating the formulation of national and industry standards;
• Formation of innovative industry clusters, particularly aimed at supporting the establishment and development of R&D, technology or engineering centres, as well as industry-university-research alliances and innovation bases;
• Other areas supported by the municipal government.

According to the Zhangjiang Special Development Fund’s Funding Policies (link at the end), each of the above areas feature a number of specific projects, targeting different actors, granting different support, and requiring different eligibility criteria. A total of 120 specific projects currently exist.

Who can participate, and eligibility requirements:

Each specific project under the five main support areas has its own targets and eligibility requirements (listed in the Zhangjiang Special Development Fund’s Funding Policies, link at the end). In general, however, each project should be in line with the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone Development Outline (2013-2020) (Guo Han [2013] No. 64), while applicants should be enterprises registered and paying taxes in one of the areas under the administration of Zhangjiang; or other Shanghai-based organisations (including not-for-profit organisations) providing services to the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone.

Benefits:

Benefits vary according to each specific project under the five main support areas of the fund (listed in the Zhangjiang Special Development Fund’s Funding Policies, link at the end). These may include grants, loan interest subsidy, awards, capital injections and equity participation, etc.

Functioning mechanism: when and where are calls published?

The Zhangjiang Management Committee is responsible for formulating and publishing, every year in the first half, specific guidelines illustrating key areas of work, projects or particular requirements that will be applied in the corresponding year, including deadline for application. Guidelines are published on the website of the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, as well as on the websites of the district-level administrations where different parks are located (e.g. Caohejing).

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the Shanghai Municipality’s Internet-based Science Information System. An official account should be created on the system in order to submit applications. Applications are then evaluated by the park management bodies of the park where the applicant is located.

Useful links:

Measures for the Management and Utilisation of the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone Special Development Fund

Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone Special Development Fund’s Funding Policies (《上海张江国家自主创新示范区专项资金资助政策》)

2017 annual guidelines

2016 annual guidelines 

Application process map (in Chinese)