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Invest Shanghai
The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology released the application guidelines for the "International Scientific and Technological Cooperation" projects under the 2026 Innovation Ecosystem Development Plan on May 8.
I. Application scope
Topic 1: Key international joint research projects
Overview: To support Shanghai-based research entities with strong capabilities and extensive international partnerships in cultivating international science and technology organizations, leading high-level joint research projects, conducting joint talent training, and organizing influential international academic conferences.
Focus areas: Next-generation information technology, life sciences, climate change, and major scientific facilities.
Project period: Aug 1, 2026 – July 31, 2029
Funding: Non-fixed grants. Up to one project per focus area will be supported. Each project may receive up to 3 million yuan (approximately $441,860), with no less than 30 percent of the total budget allocated to international cooperation and exchange activities. For projects led by enterprises, the ratio of self-raised funds to requested funding must be no less than 1:1.
Applicant requirements: Applicants must be legal entities or unincorporated organizations registered in Shanghai with a track record of international influence in the relevant field. The project leader must have substantial experience in international scientific and technological cooperation and remain actively engaged in such work. Proposed projects must involve multilateral cooperation with three or more countries, demonstrate a broad international cooperation foundation, and show the capacity to conduct high-level international joint research.
Topic 2: Inter-governmental (institutional) cooperation projects
Overview: To support joint research with top-tier foreign universities, research institutions, technology companies, and science and technology organizations, thereby strengthening academic collaboration and promoting mutually beneficial development. Priority will be given to premium joint research in frontier fields.
Priority partner countries/regions and focus areas: There are no restrictions on partner countries and regions or research fields. However, priority will be given to countries and regions that have signed cooperation agreements with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology: Spain, Finland, Hungary, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany), Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (France), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Queensland (Australia), Dunedin (New Zealand), and Gothenburg (Sweden). Collaboration is encouraged in the following areas: intelligent robotics, silicon photonics, 6G, functional foods, innovative drugs, and green fuels.
Project period: Aug 1, 2026 – July 31, 2029
Funding: Non-fixed grants. Up to 50 projects will be supported, each receiving up to 700,000 yuan, with no less than 30 percent of the total budget allocated to international cooperation and exchange activities. For projects led by enterprises, the ratio of self-raised funds to requested funding must be no less than 1:1.
Applicant requirements: Applicants must be legal entities or unincorporated organizations registered in Shanghai with the capacity and international cooperation foundation to carry out the proposed work.
The foreign partner must have received project funding from its local government. Applicants must provide written proof of such funding (e.g., project contract, grant award document) for the foreign partner's project leader. Documents in foreign languages must be accompanied by Chinese translations.
Topic 3: Collaborative innovation with foreign-invested R&D institutions
Strand 1: Development of collaborative innovation platforms
Overview: To encourage foreign-invested R&D institutions in Shanghai to establish collaborative innovation platforms, such as joint laboratories, with local universities and research institutions. These platforms are expected to focus on key priority areas and jointly carry out international talent training, host international conferences, conduct collaborative research, develop technologies, and translate research outcomes. The goal is to create regular cooperation mechanisms and promote deep sharing of innovation resources and efficient integration of industry-academia-research.
Focus areas: Biomedicine, next-generation information technology, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and advanced materials.
Project period: Aug 1, 2026 – July 31, 2029
Funding: Non-fixed grants. Up to three projects will be supported, each receiving up to 2 million yuan. For enterprise-led projects, the ratio of self-raised funds to requested funding must be no less than 1:1.
Applicant requirements: Applicants must be foreign-invested enterprises that carry out R&D and whose global headquarters are located overseas. Projects must be led by the foreign-invested enterprise in collaboration with local universities and research institutions. The partners must have already established a collaborative innovation platform or joint research facility, with dedicated laboratory space and a full-time R&D team, and must have signed a formal cooperation agreement. Priority will be given to platforms that have already established stable cooperation with provincial/ministerial-level or higher key laboratories (including engineering research centers and technology innovation centers) of local universities or research institutions.
Strand 2: Joint research projects
Overview: To encourage foreign-invested R&D institutions to conduct joint research and development with local universities, research institutions, and enterprises in Shanghai. By sharing facilities, research space, technical expertise, funding, data, and other innovation resources, the program aims to generate high-quality R&D outcomes and promote their transfer and application in Shanghai.
Focus areas: Biomedicine, next-generation information technology, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and advanced materials.
Project period: Aug 1, 2026 – July 31, 2029
Funding: Non-fixed grants. Up to 15 projects will be supported, each receiving up to 1 million yuan. For enterprise-led projects, the ratio of self-raised funds to requested funding must be no less than 1:1.
Applicant requirements: Applicants must be foreign-invested enterprises with R&D functions and whose global headquarters are located overseas. Projects must be led by the foreign-invested enterprise in collaboration with local universities, research institutions, and enterprises. The partners must have a solid foundation for cooperation and must have signed a project cooperation agreement that clearly defines the allocation of intellectual property rights and associated benefits.
II. General application requirements
In addition to the specific requirements for each topic above, the following conditions apply:
The applicant entity must be a legal entity or unincorporated organization registered in Shanghai and must have the capacity to implement the proposed project.
For projects based on previous work funded by municipal financial resources or other organizations such as the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, applicants must clearly explain the similarities and differences between the new and previous projects, as well as their relationship in terms of continuity and further development.
All applicant entities and project participants must comply with research integrity requirements. The project leader must confirm the authenticity of all submitted materials. The applicant entity is responsible for verifying the eligibility of the project applicant and the accuracy and completeness of the application materials. Applications containing confidential information will not be accepted.
If an applicant requests that certain experts be excluded from the review panel, they must submit an official letter from the applicant entity, along with the project feasibility plan, listing the names of the experts to be excluded and the reasons for exclusion.
Applicant entities and project applicants must record all scientific data generated during the research process in a timely, complete, and accurate manner and must complete the data submission in accordance with relevant requirements during project implementation.
All applicant entities and project participants must adhere to ethical standards in science and technology. Proposed activities must undergo an ethical risk assessment. If the proposed activities fall under the scope of Article 2 of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Measures for the Ethical Review of Science and Technology (Trial), an ethical review must be conducted as required, and the corresponding ethical approval documentation must be submitted.
All applicant entities and project participants must comply with relevant laws and regulations concerning the management of human genetic resources and the biosafety management of pathogenic microorganism laboratories.
Individuals currently serving as project leaders for two or more ongoing science and technology plan projects of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology are not eligible to apply as project leaders.
Project budgets must be prepared truthfully and reasonably, in accordance with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology's regulations on the management of science and technology plan project funding.
The applicant entity must have a solid foundation for international cooperation with its foreign partner(s), be familiar with international science and technology cooperation regulations, understand mechanisms for intellectual property allocation and resource sharing, and have the capacity to implement the proposed project.
The following documents bearing the official seal of the applicant entity must be uploaded as attachments to the application system:
(a) A scanned copy of a valid cooperation agreement or document signed by the applicant entity and the foreign partner(s). If the document is in a foreign language, a Chinese translation must be attached. The agreement must include the names, affiliations, and signatures of the signing parties, as well as the date of signing. It must cover the cooperation period, cooperation content, contributions, division of work, and allocation of intellectual property rights.
(b) A letter of commitment confirming that there is no patent or technology licensing, technology transfer, or mutual shareholding between the applicant entity and partner enterprises.
(c) For enterprises, a letter of commitment confirming that the ratio of self-raised funds to requested funding is no less than 1:1.
III. Application process
All applications must be submitted online through the Shanghai Science and Technology Management Information System at svc.stcsm.sh.gov.cn. No paper documents are required.
First-time users should log in through Government Online-Offline Shanghai. If you do not have an account, please complete registration first. Once logged in, navigate to the application guide page, select the appropriate topic, and start your application.
Returning users should log in through Government Online-Offline Shanghai to continue working on their application.
Online application period: Starts at 9 am on May 15, 2026, and ends at 4:30 pm on June 3, 2026. The deadline includes time for internal review and final submission by the applicant entity.
IV. Review process
A single round of correspondence review will be conducted.
V. Inquiries
Service hotlines: 800-820-5114, 400-820-5114