Shanghai issues rules for international joint laboratories

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology has issued rules governing international joint laboratories established by Shanghai-based institutions and foreign partners. The rules will take effect on Nov 1, 2026, and remain in effect through Oct 31, 2031.

Who can partner

Foreign host institutions should be universities, research institutes, enterprises or other qualified science and technology entities with strong research capabilities and distinctive strengths in their respective countries.

They should have a solid foundation and capacity for international science and technology cooperation, be able to provide the research teams, facilities, premises, and funding needed for the joint laboratory, and have sound operational management mechanisms.

Eligible universities, research institutes, and enterprises in Shanghai may apply with qualified foreign partners. Both sides must agree on the laboratory's development goals, main tasks and implementation plan, and sign a dedicated cooperation agreement. Applications are submitted by the Chinese host institution.

Chinese host institutions must establish clear management policies covering intellectual property ownership, the allocation of rights and benefits, cross-border data transfers, and research ethics.

How cooperation works

Joint laboratories serve as provincial- or ministerial-level science and technology innovation platforms, supporting academic exchanges, talent development, joint research, technology demonstration, joint incubation and cooperation on research facilities.

After approval for development, a joint laboratory generally enters a one-year start-up phase. The Chinese host institution then applies to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology for an acceptance evaluation. Laboratories that pass are formally recognized by the commission.

Joint laboratories must be developed at both the Chinese and foreign host institutions and operate as fully functioning entities at their Chinese host institutions, with independent personnel management, separate financial accounting, and clearly defined asset ownership.

Foreign host institutions should provide research and management teams suited to the laboratory's tasks. Both sides participate in the laboratory's management mechanism and academic committee, which include a Chinese director and a foreign director.

Evaluation and revocation

During the start-up phase, laboratories found to have submitted false application information, seriously violated research integrity or ethics, concealed major changes or committed other specified serious violations may lose their status and be barred from reapplying for five years.

Once formally recognized, joint laboratories generally undergo operational evaluations every three years, normally onsite. Results are classified as "excellent", "qualified", "basically qualified" or "unqualified". In principle, no more than 20 percent should receive an "excellent" rating, while at least 10 percent should be rated "unqualified."

Laboratories rated "unqualified" will have their official designations revoked. Those rated "basically qualified" must complete rectifications within one year and undergo a second evaluation. Their designations will be revoked if they miss the deadline or receive an "unqualified" rating in the second evaluation.

Laboratories will also lose their designations if their Chinese and foreign host institutions terminate their cooperation. Other serious violations, including false information and serious breaches of research integrity or ethics, may also lead to revocation and a five-year ban on reapplication.

Support and naming

The commission will support laboratories in regular operation through international science and technology cooperation projects and encourage them to apply for national programs supporting international science and technology cooperation and talent exchanges. The level of support will be linked to supervision and evaluation results.

Each laboratory must follow the standardized English naming format: "Shanghai—[partner country or region] International Joint Laboratory on [research field]."

Chinese host institutions must display plaques using the standardized logo designated by the commission.

Foreign host institutions may display plaques as appropriate. In principle, plaques are permitted only at the Chinese and foreign lead host institutions, not at other collaborating institutions.