Funding programmes in Sichuan province

The 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.

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

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.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications are opened after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, usually in February every year. Applications can be submitted in two different batches, each with specific its own deadline.

Several trainings and workshops on topics relating to the application process are also organised by municipal- and prefecture-level authorities (instructions for participation are included in the annual announcement in February)

International participation: figures and opportunities

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. *

Over a four thousands enterprises in Sichuan province have HNTE status. Slightly less than 2% are foreign-invested enterprises, either Sino-foreign joint-ventures or wholly-foreign owned enterprises (mostly American). A few examples include:

• TECHNIQUES SURFACES (Mianyang) Co., Ltd (French WFOE)
• Celula (China) Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (American WFOE)
• Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• CENTECH-EG CO., LTD.
• Saset (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd. (American WFOE)
• Source Photonics (Chengdu) Company Limited (American WFOE)
• Precedent Energy (Guanghan) Services Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• Chart Biomedical (Chengdu) Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• Sunplus Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Giant (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Spond (Chengdu) Information Technology Co., Ltd (Norwegian WFOE)
• Rose Datasystems (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Polygon (Chengdu) Precision Mold & Plastic Co., Ltd. (Singaporean WFOE)
• Ito-sin (Deyang) Wire & Cable Equipment Co., Ltd. (Singaporean WFOE)
• Virtuos Computer Software (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Intasect Communications (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Dongfang Hitachi (Chengdu) Electrical Control Equipments Co., Ltd.
• Fuji Elevator (Sichuan) Co., Ltd.

* 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.

Useful links:

2019 application announcement

List of existing HNTEs in Sichuan province

The Technology Advanced Service Enterprise (TASE) status (技术先进型服务企业认定) is of China’s core innovation tax policies, specifically targeting enterprises offering technology outsourcing services. The benefits derived from the TASE status are similar to those of the High- and New-Technology Enterprise, but at the same time the requirements for the obtainment of such status are perceived to be easier to meet for foreign-invest enterprises as these do not involve the possession of local IP rights.

Eligibility requirements:

According to the Notice on Expanding Nation-wide Corporate Income Tax Policies for Technology Advanced Service Enterprises, TASE status is granted to enterprises which meet the following requirements:

• Independent legal personality in the jurisdiction through which the application is submitted (in this case in Sichuan province)
• Be operating in one or more technology services included in a Catalogue appended to the Notice. Income in these services should exceed 50% of the total enterprise’s income
• Over 50% of the staff should possess at least an associate college degree;
• Revenue from the qualifying offshore outsourcing services should account for no less than 35% of total revenue of the year.

* The term “Revenue derived from offshore outsourcing services” refers to revenue derived by a TASE or its direct subcontractor under an outsourcing services agreement entered into by the TASE and an overseas entity, for the provision of ITO, BPO and KPO services as prescribed in list of qualifying technology advanced services.

What are the benefits?

• Reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) to 15%, compared to the 25% statutory rate
• Expenditure for the training and education of personnel, are deductible from their taxable income for a maximum of 8% of the personnel’s salary amount, compared to the 2.5% statutory rate; the part exceeding 8% can be deducted in the next fiscal year.

Once approved, TASEs will need to take part to annual evaluations.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications can be submitted after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, usually every year in the first quarter.

International participation: figures and opportunities

The TASE status is perceived to be easier to obtain for foreign-invested enterprises, as it does not require the enterprise to own local IP rights of the key technologies representing the enterprise’s core products or services (unlike HNTE status). The percentage of international enterprises among TASEs in other areas such as Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin is very high, around 30%-40% of the total. In 2018, 9 new TASEs were recognised in Sichuan, two of which being wholly foreign-owned enterprises: ASM Technology (China) Company Limited; and Ygomi Infomation Services (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of TASE status in Sichuan

Notice on Expanding Nation-wide Corporate Income Tax Policies for Technology Advanced Service Enterprises

2019 call for application

2018 list of newly-approved TASEs

2018 call for application

Similarly to the National Enterprise Technology Centres under the Bases and Talents Programme, the Sichuan Provincial Enterprise Technology Centre is a status given to certain Sichuan-based enterprises with strong conditions and capacities for innovation, and which contribute significantly to the local innovation and economic development. Being recognised as Sichuan Proviuncial 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 Sichuan Provincial Department of Economy and Informatisation oversees the daily management and operations of the programme.

Target:

Enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

The candidate enterprise should meet the following basic requirements:

• Sichuan-based enterprises with independent legal personality, which have strengths and large competitiveness within their respective industries, as well as solid capacities for innovation
• Strong R&D commitment, with the annual R&D expenditure exceeding 3 million RMB; has leading technology talents and teams with rich experience and technology capacities within their fields, at least 30 R&D personnel
• Solid capacities for R&D, with the total value of R&D assets exceeding 3 million RMB
• In principle, already recognised as municipal-level Enterprise Technology Centre (for more than one year)
• No negative records in the past three years

What are the benefits?

Newly-recognised Sichuan Provincial Enterprise Technology Centres will be strongly supported in applying to other provincial-level funding programmes, and will also be encouraged and endorsed by the provincial administration to apply to the National Enterprise Technology Centre status.

When and where are calls published?

Applications can be submitted after an ad hoc announcement is published on the website of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Economy and Informatisation, usually every year in April/May. The deadline for submitting applications is usually 4-5 weeks after the publishing date.

Method of application:

Applications are submitted through the dedicated platform of the provincial department. First time applicants must obtain a login username and password from municipal/prefecture-level authorities.

International participation: opportunities and figures:

Only 3 out of 155 approved centres in 2018 belonged to foreign-invested enterprises – in all cases being Sino-foreign joint ventures.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of Sichuan Provincial Enterprise Technology Centres

2019 application announcement

2018 list of approved centres

Similarly to the National Engineering Research Technology Centres under the national-level Bases and Talents Programme, the Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centre is a status given to certain Sichuan-based entities with strong conditions and capacities for innovation, dedicated to market- and industry-oriented engineering R&D, verification, application and integration of core technologies in key areas.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

Applicants must be enterprises, universities or research structures registered and with independent legal personality within Sichuan province. They must have rich experience in transferring technology results and implementing engineering-scale development.

Specifically, the following requirements must be met if the applicant is an enterprise:

• Leading enterprise with strong technology competitiveness either nation-wide or within Sichuan province
• Ownership of at least 5 patents within the corresponding field (including invention patents, software copyrights, integrated circuit design, etc.)
• Has an independent R&D facility extending for at least 500 m², an annual R&D expenditure exceeding 5 million RMB, and at least 20% ad hoc R&D personnel

The following requirements must be met if the applicant is a university or research structure:

• Institution with leading R&D capacities and conditions
• Ownership of at least 5 patents within the corresponding field (including invention patents, software copyrights, integrated circuit design, etc.)
• Has produced a series of technology results with strong conversion and transfer potential, which have generated over 10 million RMB of revenue
• Has an independent experimental facility extending for at least 500 m², and at least 10% ad hoc personnel

In addition, the following aspects will receive particular priority and support during the evaluation of candidatures:

• Key sector: electronics; advanced manufacturing; food and beverage; advanced materials; energy; petrochemicals; new generation AI; big data; 5G; sharing economy
• Industry-university-research cooperation, i.e. centres established jointly by enterprises, universities and research structures
• Already-established municipal or prefecture-level engineering research centres

What are the benefits?

Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centre will become key components of the local sci-tech innovation ecosystem, and as such will receive strong support from local authorities when applying to other provincial- or national-level funding programmes.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Development of Science and Technology.

International participation: opportunities and figures

With the exception of two Sino-foreign joint ventures (with Chinese majority), no evidence of international participation was identified amongst the 221 approved centres in 2018.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centres

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners

The Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprise is a status granted by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology to local enterprises which have realised remarkable achievements in the field of technology transfer. Enterprises with such status represent models to other enterprises to study and replicate.

Target:

Enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered and with independent legal personality in Sichuan province, operating for at least three years, and with solid financial and management mechanisms
• Annual turnover exceeding 20 million RMB. Stable growth in the last three consecutive years in terms of revenue, sales and profit
• Possession of ad hoc facilities for technology transfer within Sichuan province, and of a competitive brand or service with indigenous IPR. Has solid and optimal technology transfer incentive and management mechanisms which could represent models to other enterprises
• Has a solid R&D team and cooperation mechanisms with universities/research structures
• Has filed at least 3 patents in the past three years
• Priority will be granted to enterprises which have successfully implemented provincial-level technology transfer demonstration projects (under the Sichuan S&T Projects – see corresponding factsheet above)

What are the benefits?

Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises will receive strong support from local authorities when applying to “Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Demonstration Projects” under the Sichuan S&T Projects (see corresponding factsheet above).

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Development of Science and Technology. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4-5 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Only one of the 101 Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises recognised in 2018 was foreign-invested: Ito-sin (Deyang) Wire & Cable Equipment Co., Ltd. – a wholly foreign-owned enterprise from Singapore which produces wire and cable equipment.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners

In order to encourage and support foreign investors to establish R&D structures within Sichuan province, thus increasing their contribution to local sci-tech development, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Commerce grant financial and administrative support to R&D structures established by foreign investors.

Target:

Foreign-invested R&D structures, referring to:

• R&D entities with independent legal personality established as joint ventures, cooperative joint ventures, wholly foreign-owned, or holdings;
• Independent R&D departments or branches established within foreign-invested enterprises.

Foreign-invested R&D structures should be dedicated to basic research, applied research, product/technology development, or social research (in areas not included in relevant negative lists for foreign direct investment).

Eligibility requirements:

• Possession of necessary conditions for R&D, including a fixed facility (at least 300 m²) and instruments and equipment (total asset value of at least 10 million RMB – or 2 million RMB for software-related R&D structures);
• At least half of the total personnel employed must have Master’s Degree or above, and at least 60% of employees must be dedicated to R&D activities;
• The R&D structure must have solid R&D spending (the value of the total R&D investment should exceed 30 million RMB), and an R&D intensity on revenue of at least 20% (or 3%-5% if the structure does not have independent legal personality). At least 60% of the R&D structure’s revenue must be technology-related (not applicable within 3 years after the establishment).

What are the benefits?

Upon official recognition from the relevant provincial authorities, foreign-invested R&D structures will receive:

• A subsidy amounting to 5% of their R&D expenditure (max 1.5 million RMB)
• Strong endorsement and preferential treatment when applying to High- and New-Technology Enterprise (HNTE) status, Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centre, International S&T Cooperation Base, as well as municipal- and provincial-level funding programmes.
• Foreign experts employed by the R&D structure will be supported in applying to provincial- and national-level talent recruitment plans.

When and where are application calls published?

This is an ongoing policy.

Useful links:

Interim Measures for Encouraging Foreign Investors to Establish R&D Structures in Sichuan (Chuan Ke Wai [2018] No. 13)

The 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.

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

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.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications are opened after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, usually in February every year. Applications can be submitted in two different batches, each with specific its own deadline.

Several trainings and workshops on topics relating to the application process are also organised by municipal- and prefecture-level authorities (instructions for participation are included in the annual announcement in February)

International participation: figures and opportunities

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. *

Over a four thousands enterprises in Sichuan province have HNTE status. Slightly less than 2% are foreign-invested enterprises, either Sino-foreign joint-ventures or wholly-foreign owned enterprises (mostly American). A few examples include:

• TECHNIQUES SURFACES (Mianyang) Co., Ltd (French WFOE)
• Celula (China) Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (American WFOE)
• Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• CENTECH-EG CO., LTD.
• Saset (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd. (American WFOE)
• Source Photonics (Chengdu) Company Limited (American WFOE)
• Precedent Energy (Guanghan) Services Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• Chart Biomedical (Chengdu) Co., Ltd (American WFOE)
• Sunplus Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Giant (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Spond (Chengdu) Information Technology Co., Ltd (Norwegian WFOE)
• Rose Datasystems (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Polygon (Chengdu) Precision Mold & Plastic Co., Ltd. (Singaporean WFOE)
• Ito-sin (Deyang) Wire & Cable Equipment Co., Ltd. (Singaporean WFOE)
• Virtuos Computer Software (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Intasect Communications (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.
• Dongfang Hitachi (Chengdu) Electrical Control Equipments Co., Ltd.
• Fuji Elevator (Sichuan) Co., Ltd.

* 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.

Useful links:

2019 application announcement

List of existing HNTEs in Sichuan province

The Technology Advanced Service Enterprise (TASE) status (技术先进型服务企业认定) is of China’s core innovation tax policies, specifically targeting enterprises offering technology outsourcing services. The benefits derived from the TASE status are similar to those of the High- and New-Technology Enterprise, but at the same time the requirements for the obtainment of such status are perceived to be easier to meet for foreign-invest enterprises as these do not involve the possession of local IP rights.

Eligibility requirements:

According to the Notice on Expanding Nation-wide Corporate Income Tax Policies for Technology Advanced Service Enterprises, TASE status is granted to enterprises which meet the following requirements:

• Independent legal personality in the jurisdiction through which the application is submitted (in this case in Sichuan province)
• Be operating in one or more technology services included in a Catalogue appended to the Notice. Income in these services should exceed 50% of the total enterprise’s income
• Over 50% of the staff should possess at least an associate college degree;
• Revenue from the qualifying offshore outsourcing services should account for no less than 35% of total revenue of the year.

* The term “Revenue derived from offshore outsourcing services” refers to revenue derived by a TASE or its direct subcontractor under an outsourcing services agreement entered into by the TASE and an overseas entity, for the provision of ITO, BPO and KPO services as prescribed in list of qualifying technology advanced services.

What are the benefits?

• Reduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) to 15%, compared to the 25% statutory rate
• Expenditure for the training and education of personnel, are deductible from their taxable income for a maximum of 8% of the personnel’s salary amount, compared to the 2.5% statutory rate; the part exceeding 8% can be deducted in the next fiscal year.

Once approved, TASEs will need to take part to annual evaluations.

When and where are application calls published?

Applications can be submitted after an official announcement is published on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, usually every year in the first quarter.

International participation: figures and opportunities

The TASE status is perceived to be easier to obtain for foreign-invested enterprises, as it does not require the enterprise to own local IP rights of the key technologies representing the enterprise’s core products or services (unlike HNTE status). The percentage of international enterprises among TASEs in other areas such as Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin is very high, around 30%-40% of the total. In 2018, 9 new TASEs were recognised in Sichuan, two of which being wholly foreign-owned enterprises: ASM Technology (China) Company Limited; and Ygomi Infomation Services (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of TASE status in Sichuan

Notice on Expanding Nation-wide Corporate Income Tax Policies for Technology Advanced Service Enterprises

2019 call for application

2018 list of newly-approved TASEs

2018 call for application

The Sichuan Provincial SME Development Fund was established by the provincial S&T department together with the provincial financial department, to support the growth and innovation of tech-based SMEs in Sichuan. The Fund supports two main categories of projects:

• Technology innovation projects: supporting, through grants or loan interest subsidies, tech-based SMEs which conduct indigenous R&D and pilot-scale product testing in the fields of electronics, manufacturing, advanced materials, energy and petrochemicals, digital economy, environmental protection, and biopharmaceuticals;
• VC investment projects: supporting (a) tech-based SMEs engaged in R&D and commercialisation and which have received investment from VC firms; and (b) VC firms which invest in tech-based SMEs.

Target:

Tech-based SMEs.

Eligibility requirements:

Applicants for technology innovation projects must meet the following requirements:

• Tech-based SME registered within Sichuan province;
• The project should belong to one of the priority sectors listed above (specific areas within each sector are specified in annual calls);
• Only 1 application per year can be submitted;
• Absence of negative records in terms of projects delayed, failed or terminated;
• Applicants which have already benefitted from the Fund in the past 2 years are not eligible;
• Priority given to tech-based SMEs which were also recognised with HNTE status.

Applicants for VC investment projects must meet the following requirements:

• Tech-based SMEs must be registered within Sichuan province, and must have obtained VC investment from a local firm for expanding innovation activities (e.g. R&D, commercialisation, etc.). Generally, in order to quality, the VC investment must have been received in the year before the application is submitted.
• VC firms must be registered within Sichuan province, and must have completed a VC investment on a local tech-based SME. There are requirements in terms of social capital registered and total Assets Under Management, depending on whether the applicant is a VC company; a VC management company; or an SME service company.

What are the benefits?

• Technology innovation projects:
  • Subsidy of up to 40% of the R&D expenses incurred (max 2 million RMB)
  • Loan interest subsidies for 2 years (max 1 million RMB)
• VC investment projects:
  • Tech-based SMEs: up to 2 million RMB of subsidies
  • VC firms: subsidy of up to 5% of the investment expenses (max 1 million RMB per investment; max 3 million RMB in total per VC firm per year)

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis, usually in the second half of the year, on the website of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4-5 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

International participation in 2019 was very limited: only two cases of Sino-foreign joint ventures were identified, one in the technology innovation projects and the other in VC investment projects.

Useful links:

2019 call for application

2019 list of results

The Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprise is a status granted by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology to local enterprises which have realised remarkable achievements in the field of technology transfer. Enterprises with such status represent models to other enterprises to study and replicate.

Target:

Enterprises.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise registered and with independent legal personality in Sichuan province, operating for at least three years, and with solid financial and management mechanisms
• Annual turnover exceeding 20 million RMB. Stable growth in the last three consecutive years in terms of revenue, sales and profit
• Possession of ad hoc facilities for technology transfer within Sichuan province, and of a competitive brand or service with indigenous IPR. Has solid and optimal technology transfer incentive and management mechanisms which could represent models to other enterprises
• Has a solid R&D team and cooperation mechanisms with universities/research structures
• Has filed at least 3 patents in the past three years
• Priority will be granted to enterprises which have successfully implemented provincial-level technology transfer demonstration projects (under the Sichuan S&T Projects – see corresponding factsheet above)

What are the benefits?

Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises will receive strong support from local authorities when applying to “Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Demonstration Projects” under the Sichuan S&T Projects (see corresponding factsheet above).

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Development of Science and Technology. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4-5 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Only one of the 101 Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises recognised in 2018 was foreign-invested: Ito-sin (Deyang) Wire & Cable Equipment Co., Ltd. – a wholly foreign-owned enterprise from Singapore which produces wire and cable equipment.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of Sichuan Provincial Technology Transfer Model Enterprises

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners

In order to reduce the costs and constraints of tech SMEs for obtaining financing, in 2018 the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology established an ad hoc fund granting subsidies to tech SMEs which have obtained debt financing services from financial institutions.

Target:

Tech SMEs which have obtained debt financing

Eligibility requirements:

• Tech-based SME registered and with legal personality in Sichuan province
• Obtained in the previous year debt financing from banks, micro-credit companies, insurance companies or financial leasing companies
• SMEs which already received a subsidy in the previous year, or were beneficiaries or the Sichuan Provincial SME Development Fund in the same year, are not eligible to apply
• The responsible individual/project manager must have a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of professional work experience; or alternatively, a Master’s degree and 2+ years of professional work experience

What are the benefits?

• SMEs which have received loans from banks or micro-credit companies: subsidy of up to 1 million RMB (based on the total loan amount and PBOC’s benchmark interest rate)
• SMEs which have received secured loans from insurance companies: subsidy amounting to 50% of the secured loan (max 500,000 RMB)
• SMEs which have received financing from financial leasing companies for activities such as R&D, design, testing: subsidy amounting to 10% of the annual leasing expenses (max 500,000 RMB)

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis and submitted through the Sichuan Province S&T Information Management System. An account must be registered. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 1 week after the publication date.

Useful links:

Implementing Rules for the Sichuan Provincial Subsidy Fund for Tech SMEs’ Debt Financing

2019 call for application

The Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology has published for the 2020-2022 period a notice to encourage local entities to recruit foreign experts or foreign scientific achievements. Though no direct funding is granted, recruited experts and achievements will become the focus of the provincial administration to support and endorse applications and candidatures to national-level talent programmes, such as MOST’s National High-end Foreign Experts Recruitment Plan or National Key R&D Programmes.

Target:

Sichuan-based enterprises, universities or research structures recruiting:

• Foreign experts (foreign or Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan citizenship);
• Foreign advanced achievements, e.g. new and innovative products, technologies, techniques, or management methods developed abroad

What are the benefits?

Sponsorship and endorsement to apply to national-level programmes.

When and where are calls published?

Each recruiting entity must fill a specific table for each recruited expert/achievement, to be submitted every year to the provincial S&T department.

Useful links:

Announcement (in Chinese) from the provincial S&T department

The CPC’s branch in Chengdu has established a localised version of the Thousand Talents Recruitment Programme – the Chengdu “Rongpiao” Plan. It offers significant financial support to high-level domestic and overseas scientists and experts (or teams) who decide to relocate to Chengdu-based universities, research institutes or enterprises for conducting research in key priority sectors, including high-tech and strategic emerging industries, digital economy, modern finance, modern urban agriculture, etc.

Structure:

Experts recruited under the Chengdu “Rongpiao” Plan are classified into three categories:

• Global leading experts (category A): for winners of world-leading prizes such as the Nobel Prize, A.M. Turing Award, Fields Medal, etc.; winners of China’s highest state-level S&T awards; CAS and CAE academicians; 1,000 Talents Plan and 10,000 Talents Plan winners (category “outstanding talents”)
• National leading experts (category B): exceptional award-winning young talents; State Council-approved leading experts; Changjiang Scholars; 1,000 Talents Plan and 10,000 Talents Plan winners (all categories except “outstanding talents”); winners of first-class national awards
• Local leading experts (category C): exceptional young talents who have won top provincial-level awards; Sichuan Provincial 1,000 Talents Plan winners; winners of second-class national awards, or of first-class provincial awards

Eligibility requirements:

Recruited experts can apply to different categories of programmes:

• Long Term programme: targeting experts less than 55 years’ old, with Ph.D. degree (or overseas Bachelor’s Degree for entrepreneurs) and 3+ years of work experience in renowned domestic or international enterprises or R&D structures, committed to work in Chengdu for at least 9 months per year (or 6 months per year for entrepreneurs). Innovative experts (non-including entrepreneurs) must also master key core technologies and must have titles equivalent to associate professors or mid/senior managers in renowned universities, research institutes or enterprises (alternatively, experience in leading domestic or international major key projects).
• Overseas Short Term programme: similar to the Long Term programme, however experts are recruited on a project-basis generally requiring their commitment to work in Chengdu for at least 2 months per year for 3 consecutive years
• Young Expert programme: targeting outstanding young experts (less than 40 years’ old). Requirements are similar to those for the Long Term programme, but less strict when it comes to job title: the potential to become key innovative leaders and to generate disruptive results are enough. Recruited young experts must also commit to work in Chengdu full-time.
• Outstanding Innovation and Entrepreneurship Teams: targeting teams composed by at least 3 key experts (with the team leader being a national or provincial 1,000 talents plan awardee) with indigenous IPR in key core technologies.

What are the benefits?

• Category A experts: 3 million RMB
• Category B experts: 2 million RMB
• Category C experts: 1.2 million RMB
• Outstanding teams: 5 million RMB

In addition to all-round administrative support, including to apply to other provincial- or national-level funding programmes.

When and where are calls published?

Calls are published on an annual basis, usually between June and August. Sichuan-based universities and research institutes will also publish dedicated announcements to recruit candidates within their institutions (see e.g. link below).

International participation: opportunities and figures

Unlike the national 1,000 Talents Plan which has one category exclusively directed to foreign (non-ethnic Chinese) talents, no such category is available in the Chengdu “Rongpiao” Plan. The list of awardees in 2018 has not yet been released by the time of writing. It currently remains unclear, therefore, if the Chengdu “Rongpiao” Plan is mainly directed to Chinese returnees or also targets foreign (non-ethnic Chinese) talents.

Useful links:

2018 call for applications (example from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

The Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects refer to a system of programmes established by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology to support specific activities in different innovation areas. They all follow the same legal and management framework. Specifically, a total of 16 programmes currently exist, under four broad areas:

• Applied basic research:
  • “Applied basic research” programme: granting every year 100,000 RMB to 500,000 RMB to over a hundred projects (lasting 2-3 years) in the field of applied basic research, especially in key priority areas such as civil-military integration, magnetic confinement fusion, cybersecurity, transports of the future, environmental protection, cancer-related research, etc.
• Key research and development:
  • “Development and commercialisation of high- and new-technologies” programme: granting every year 200,000 RMB to 500,000 RMB to tens of projects (generally lasting 2 years) supporting the development and commercialisation of new innovative technologies in different industries, such as electronics, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, advanced materials, energy, petrochemicals, etc.
  • “Agriculture and rural areas” programme: granting every year around 1 million RMB to tens of demonstration projects (lasting 3 years) for the upgrading of industry chains for products such as: poultry meat, rabbit, duck, bamboo, pepper, walnut, sericulture, Sichuan pickles, etc.
  • “Social development” programme: granting every year 1 million RMB to 2 million RMB to tens of projects (lasting 2-3 years) for R&D of key core technologies in priority areas for social development, such as drugs and pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, Traditional Chinese Medicine, clinical research, shale gas, environmental pollution treatment, public safety, cultural travel, smart cities, etc.
  • “International S&T cooperation” programme: supporting joint R&D projects with partners from foreign countries or Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan (a more detailed factsheet is provided below)
  • “University-research institute cooperative R&D” programme: supporting joint R&D projects between local research institutes with key universities based outside Sichuan province (including three universities in Hong Kong) with whom the Sichuanese provincial government has signed cooperation agreements
• Technology transfer and conversion:
  • “Technology transfer and conversion” programme: granting 500,000 RMB to 2 million RMB of funding to projects introducing key technology results within Sichuan province, especially in key priority industries such as electronics, advanced manufacturing, new materials, aerospace, etc.
  • “Innovative product” programme: granting around 1 million RMB for projects focusing on the development of new, innovative products in key strategic and emerging industries, such as new energy vehicles, 5G, big data, AI, etc.
  • “Agricultural technology transfer fund” programme: granting 300,000 RMB to 1 million RMB for projects introducing and commercialising key technology results in agricultural industries
• Sci-tech innovation bases, platforms and talents:
  • “Sichuan S&T platforms” programme: granting 300,000 RMB to 1 million RMB to around 50 projects featuring the establishment, upgrading or maintenance of platforms supporting science, technology and innovation development, e.g. databases, repositories, etc.
  • “S&T popularisation and training” programme: supporting the establishment of S&T museums, awareness-raising activities, etc.
  • “Soft science research” programme: granting 100,000 RMB to 500,000 RMB to research projects targeting ‘soft science’, namely key sci-tech policies and strategies for Sichuan’s development
  • “Distinguished and outstanding young scientists” programme: granting 100,000 RMB to 400,000 RMB to tens of projects led by outstanding young talents and teams, especially in remote or less developed regions within the province
  • “Sci-tech innovation entrepreneurship talent” programme: granting around 300,000 RMB to entrepreneurs launching a tech start-up with indigenous IPR, especially within priority industries for development.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the specific programme, but generally the applicant/consortium lead must necessarily meet the following:

• Enterprise, university, research structure or medical structures registered and with legal personality in Sichuan province, with solid capacities and conditions for innovation
• Individual and joint applications are both welcome
• If the consortium lead is an enterprise, additional funding must be provided (at least 50% of the proposed project budget)

In addition, proposed principal investigators must be:

• Senior experts / possess Ph.D. degrees for key programmes, hired by Sichuan-based entities. Foreign experts are eligible to be proposed as PIs.
• Absence of any negative records, especially in terms of delayed, failed or terminated projects
• Applications can be submitted to only 1 project per year

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis, usually in July, on the website of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology. Applications must be submitted via the Sichuan Province S&T Information Management System (previous registration is required). Endorsement from supervisory S&T bodies is required. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 5-6 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Very small evidence of international participation was identified in the lists of approved projects in 2019 and 2018. A few cases of wholly foreign-owned enterprises was identified in projects under the “Key research and development” area (e.g. the American Saset Healthcare (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd.; and the Singaporean Ito-sin (Deyang) Wire & Cable Equipment Co., Ltd.), as well as under the “Technology transfer and conversion” area (e.g. the American Source Photonics (Chengdu) Company Limited). This is likely due to low awareness of these projects amongst international actors, as well as the relatively low number of foreign R&D entities based in Sichuan (especially when compared to other areas such as Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang).

Information on principal investigators are not available, but foreign experts are welcome to be presented as such

Useful links:

Measures for the Management of Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects

2019 call for application

2019 list of selected projects (1^st batch)

2018 call for application

2018 list of selected projects (4^th batch)

The Sichuan New Generation Artificial Intelligence Special Programme was established by the provincial S&T department in line with the Sichuan Province’s 13^th Five-year Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation. Every year, the programme funds tens of projects for the R&D, demonstration or application of AI-related technologies and instruments, such as AI chips, AI platforms, smart sensing systems, intelligence service systems, etc.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures

Eligibility requirements:

• Enterprise, university or research structure registered and with independent legal personality in Sichuan province, with strong capacities and conditions for R&D and commercialisation
• Industry-university-research cooperation encouraged
• Project proposals should be in line with the research topics, areas and deliverables specified in the tender application guidelines attached to the call
• Other additional requirements depending on the research topic (generally requiring the consortium to provide additional funding according to certain percentages; the consortium lead to be an enterprise of a certain scale)

In addition, the proposed Principal Investigator must meet the following requirements:

• Senior expert in the corresponding field; alternatively, Ph.D. degree obtained more than 2 years before the application is submitted
• Does not have any negative records, especially in terms of delayed or non-completed S&T projects

What are the benefits?

It is not clear what is the amount of funding received for each project, but it is expected to exceed 1 million RMB

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis on the Sichuan Province S&T Information Management System. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

The lists of selected projects in both 2018 and 2019 are not available online.

Useful links:

2019 call for application

2018 call for application

Similar to the provincial administration (see “Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects” factsheet), the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau has established the Chengdu Municipal S&T Projects – namely a system of programmes that supporting specific sci-tech and innovation activities in different areas. They all follow the same legal and management framework. The following programmes currently exist:

• Innovation and entrepreneurship talents: granting 100,000 RMB to 1 million RMB to senior entrepreneurs or academic researchers who launch a start-up in Chengdu, with indigenous IPR and dedicated to R&D in key strategic areas.
• Tech start-up financing: granting 50,000 RMB to 300,000 to local tech start-ups (including those in seed-stages) which receive angel investment, debt financing, IPR pledge financing, or which get listed on the NEEQ.
• Technology market subsidies: granting 500,000 RMB to 2 million RMB to firms, agencies or individuals take part in technology transfer deals (covering all actors e.g. intermediators, sellers and buyers).
• Patent subsidies: granting subsidies for invention patents filed or obtained (e.g. 10,000 RMB for each patent obtained through the PCT or in key countries such as US, EU, Canada, Japan and S. Korea).
• International S&T cooperation: supporting joint sci-tech and innovation activities between Chengdu-based actors and their foreign partners. See specific factsheet for more information.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship carriers: granting 1 million RMB to 5 million RMB to new incubators, accelerators, S&T parks, etc.
• Soft science projects: granting 100,000 RMB to 200,000 RMB for projects in “soft science” (e.g. policy- or strategy-related studies)

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the specific programme, but generally applicants must necessarily meet the following:

• Enterprise, university, research structure or medical structures registered and with legal personality in Chengdu, with solid capacities and conditions for innovation
• Individual and joint applications are both welcome
• Absence of any negative records, especially in terms of delayed, failed or terminated projects
• Applications can be submitted to only 1 project per year

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis on the website of the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau. Calls are generally published in two different batches, the first at the end of the year, and the second in the first half of the following year. Endorsement from supervisory S&T bodies may be required.

International participation: opportunities and figures

Very small evidence of international participation was identified in the lists of approved projects in 2018. A few cases of wholly foreign-owned enterprises were identified in projects under the programme “Tech start-up financing” (e.g. Ygomi Infomation Services (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. – an American WFOE; and Polygon (Chengdu) Precision Mold & Plastic Co., Ltd. – a Singaporean WFOE). A few other examples were identified under the “Innovation and entrepreneurship talents” category.

Useful links:

2019 call for application (1^st batch)

2018 call for application (1^st batch)

2018 list of selected projects (2^nd batch)

In order to stimulate further R&D investment from local entities, the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau has established the Chengdu Technology Innovation R&D Projects – namely a dedicated category of projects providing funding to industry-university-research cooperation R&D projects.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

• Entity registered and with legal personality in Chengdu
• Strong influence and competitiveness in the corresponding field
• Industry-university-research cooperation
• Project duration is generally 1 year
• The proposed R&D project must be in line with one of the priority areas indicated in the annual call. In 2018, these were:
  • New economy: digital economy, smart economy, green economy, creative industries, sharing economy, etc.
  • Urban modern agriculture: seeds, smart agriculture, ecological agri-foods and proceeding, urban agriculture, etc.
  • Social development: environmental protection, smart city and smart transports, disease prevention, green building, public security, food safety, etc.

What are the benefits?

Up to 200,000 RMB per project.

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis, usually during the summer, on the website of the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau. Endorsement from district-level or zone-level authorities may be required. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4-5 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

No evidence of international participation was identified in the list of 280 projects approved in 2018.

Useful links:

2018 call for application

2018 list of selected projects

At the end of 2018, the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau established a programme to fund sci-tech and innovation projects in the field of hydrogen energy. The programme aims to contribute to major breakthroughs on a series of key core technologies, and to stimulate commercialisation by increasing the supply of innovative hydrogen energy technologies. Three categories of projects are supported:

• Research on technology roadmaps for market segments and sectors within the hydrogen energy field: 1-year policy- and strategy-oriented research projects
• Major sci-tech innovation projects: 2-year R&D projects on key technologies
• Industrial clusters innovation projects: 3-year demonstration projects implemented by all actors of the industrial chain. Actors based outside Chengdu can also participate in the project activities

The programme was launched to advance Chengdu’s strengths and competitiveness in the field.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures

Eligibility requirements:

Proposed projects must be implemented within one of the four “industrial functional zones” in Chengdu. Proposed projects must also be in line with the specific research topics and deliverables included in annual calls. In addition, the following requirements must be meet for each category of projects:

• Research on technology roadmaps for market segments and sectors within the hydrogen energy field: the applicant must partner with an “industrial functional zone” for the implementation of the project
• Major sci-tech innovation projects: the consortium lead must be a Chengdu-based HNTE, which shall provide additional funding. The participation of universities and research institutes is encouraged.
• Industrial clusters innovation projects: the consortium lead must be a Chengdu-based HNTE, which shall provide additional funding (at least five times higher the budget requested). Consortium partners should include all actors of the industry chain, including other tech enterprises, universities and research institutes.

What are the benefits?

• Research on technology roadmaps for market segments and sectors within the hydrogen energy field: 200,000 RMB / project
• Major sci-tech innovation projects: 2 million RMB / project
• Industrial clusters innovation projects: 8 million RMB / project

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis on the website of the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau. Endorsement from district-level or zone-level authorities is required. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 4 weeks after the publication date.

International participation: opportunities and figures

The list of selected projects in 2019 is not available online.

Useful links:

2019 call for application

At the end of 2018, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Sichuan provincial government agreed to establish a joint fund for regional innovation development, to support basic research in the agreed scientific areas, such as: agriculture; disaster risk prevention and management; ecological protection; modern energy; transports; new materials; advanced manufacturing. Similar agreements were also reached with the provincial administrations in Anhui, Hunan, and Jilin.

The joint fund follows the rules and regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in terms of procedures for application, evaluation, and approval. For more information, see the NSFC page on this website.

Useful links:

2019 call for application

NSFC’s press release (in Chinese) announcing the establishment of joint funds with Sichuan, Anhui, Hunan and Jilin provinces

Similarly to the National Engineering Research Technology Centres under the national-level Bases and Talents Programme, the Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centre is a status given to certain Sichuan-based entities with strong conditions and capacities for innovation, dedicated to market- and industry-oriented engineering R&D, verification, application and integration of core technologies in key areas.

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures.

Eligibility requirements:

Applicants must be enterprises, universities or research structures registered and with independent legal personality within Sichuan province. They must have rich experience in transferring technology results and implementing engineering-scale development.

Specifically, the following requirements must be met if the applicant is an enterprise:

• Leading enterprise with strong technology competitiveness either nation-wide or within Sichuan province
• Ownership of at least 5 patents within the corresponding field (including invention patents, software copyrights, integrated circuit design, etc.)
• Has an independent R&D facility extending for at least 500 m², an annual R&D expenditure exceeding 5 million RMB, and at least 20% ad hoc R&D personnel

The following requirements must be met if the applicant is a university or research structure:

• Institution with leading R&D capacities and conditions
• Ownership of at least 5 patents within the corresponding field (including invention patents, software copyrights, integrated circuit design, etc.)
• Has produced a series of technology results with strong conversion and transfer potential, which have generated over 10 million RMB of revenue
• Has an independent experimental facility extending for at least 500 m², and at least 10% ad hoc personnel

In addition, the following aspects will receive particular priority and support during the evaluation of candidatures:

• Key sector: electronics; advanced manufacturing; food and beverage; advanced materials; energy; petrochemicals; new generation AI; big data; 5G; sharing economy
• Industry-university-research cooperation, i.e. centres established jointly by enterprises, universities and research structures
• Already-established municipal or prefecture-level engineering research centres

What are the benefits?

Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centre will become key components of the local sci-tech innovation ecosystem, and as such will receive strong support from local authorities when applying to other provincial- or national-level funding programmes.

When and where are calls published?

Applications are published on an annual basis, on the web portal of the Sichuan Provincial Development of Science and Technology.

International participation: opportunities and figures

With the exception of two Sino-foreign joint ventures (with Chinese majority), no evidence of international participation was identified amongst the 221 approved centres in 2018.

Useful links:

Management Measures for the Recognition of Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Centres

2018 call for application

2018 list of winners

One programme under the Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects (see factsheet above) is specifically designed to support joint R&D projects as well as the establishment of key R&D platforms (e.g. key laboratories; international tech transfer centres; S&T parks; etc.) between Sichuan-based entities and foreign partners. Projects must belong to key priority areas, and preference is given to projects involving industry-university-research cooperation. Three categories of projects are generally supported:

• Key projects: for national-level international cooperation bases, enterprise-led demonstration projects, and breakthroughs on key technologies, especially with Belt and Road countries (500,000 RMB / project).
• General projects: for provincial-level international cooperation bases, and other industry-university-research R&D projects (300,000 RMB / project)
• China-Israel R&D cooperation projects: for joint R&D projects between enterprises from the two sides (500,000 – 2 million RMB / project)

Eligibility requirements:

• The proposed project is feasible and has clear deliverables and KPIs
• The Chinese and foreign partners have strong foundations for cooperation (e.g. past cooperation experience)
• The foreign partner must have strong competitiveness in the respective field
• Enterprise-led consortia must provide additional funding (generally at least 50% of the total budget of the proposed project)
• The project proposal must belong to one of the following key priority sectors:
• New energy
• New energy intelligent vehicles
• New materials
• Innovative drugs
• Information technologies
• Advanced manufacturing
• Shale gas and chemical engineering
• Prevention and treatment of diseases
• Environmental protection
• Public safety
• Particular priority is granted to those foreign entities which have signed strategic cooperation agreements with the Sichuan provincial government.

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis on the website of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science & Technology, usually in July together with the calls for other programmes under the Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects. Applications must be submitted via the Sichuan Province S&T Information Management System (previous registration is required). Endorsement from supervisory S&T bodies is required. The deadline for submitting applications is generally 5-6 weeks after the publication date.

Useful links:

Measures for the Management of Sichuan Provincial S&T Projects

2019 call for application (annex 5)

2018 call for application (annex 5)

One programme under the Chengdu Municipal S&T Projects is specifically designed to support cooperation activities between Chengdu-based actors and foreign partners. These include:

• Establishment of joint R&D centres: either in Chengdu (by Fortune 500 companies or other globally renowned firms) or overseas (by Chengdu-based entities). Up to 2 million RMB of subsidies can be granted (or 200,000 RMB for branch R&D centres)
• Launch of joint S&T projects in Chengdu, in areas in line with the municipal administration’s development priorities and strategies. Up to 200,000 RMB per project are granted
• Supporting funds to national-level international S&T projects implemented by Chengdu-based entities, usually up to 200,000 RMB per project
• Joint innovation and entrepreneurship activities, granting 10,000 to 20,000 RMB to support international activities and events hosted in Chengdu

Target:

Enterprises; universities; research structures

Eligibility requirements:

Eligibility requirements vary according to the specific programme. For instance, R&D centres established by foreign enterprises in Chengdu generally must:

• Have an investment of at least 1 million USD
• Have more than 20 employees, at least half of which must have Master’s degree, and at least 70% of which must be dedicated to R&D activities
• Possession of dedicated facilities, space and instruments

Applicants for joint S&T projects in Chengdu must:

• Be enterprises, universities or research institutes registered in Chengdu
• Be in line with Chengdu’s “5+5+1” priority industry sectors
• Feature strong commitment in terms of facilities and personnel provided
• The foreign partner must be competitive in the corresponding field
• Present a MoU or agreement on the intended ownership and utilisation of IPR developed under the project
• Commit to achieve, at future stages, commercialisation in Chengdu of technologies/products developed

When and where are calls published?

Calls for applications are published on an annual basis on the website of the Chengdu Municipal Science & Technology Bureau, in two different batches together with the calls for other programmes under the Chengdu Municipal S&T Projects.

Useful links:

2019 call for application (1^st batch)

2019 list of selected projects (1^st batch)

2018 call for application (1^st batch)