The Shanghai Global Science and Technology Partnership Plan is formulated as follows to accelerate the development of an open environment for scientific and technological innovation with global competitiveness, strengthen Shanghai's capacity for original scientific and technological innovation, enhance its leading role in high-end industries, and build the global influence and guiding force of Shanghai's scientific and technological innovation. The Plan supports overseas scientific and technological research institutes, enterprises, organizations, sci-tech innovation and entrepreneurial talents, in becoming Shanghai's science and technology partners, jointly advancing global science, technology and innovation and integrating into the global innovation network, so as to contribute to building a global science and technology community.
I. International Joint Research Action
The Action supports Shanghai's universities, research institutes, and enterprises to conduct high-quality international joint research projects with global partners on global challenges, key scientific issues, national strategies, and Shanghai's development priorities.
1. To support joint research and development. Collaboration with overseas sci-tech authorities, research institutes, and organizations will be further deepened and expanded. Funding mechanisms will be improved to support joint research projects by jointly issuing calls for proposals, funding, and reviewing project applications. 'Small and Beautiful' joint research projects conducted by Shanghai research teams with global partners will be encouraged, focusing on common development needs, while leveraging their respective technological strengths. Flagship strategic collaboration programs will be explored to answer key scientific questions and innovation needs. International challenges and competitions such as 'Shanghai Needs, Global Solutions' will be organized to encourage overseas innovators to participate in Shanghai's science and technology agenda.
2. To establish joint research platforms. Support will be provided to the establishment of high-quality international joint research platforms, such as joint laboratories, by Shanghai's innovation entities and global partners. Both sides are encouraged to jointly invest in research infrastructure and resources, conduct collaborative research, facilitate academic and talent exchanges, and commercialize technological achievements. A performance-based support mechanism will be established for international joint laboratories. Those that pass the evaluation will receive project-based funding to support mutual personnel exchanges for scientific research collaboration.
3. To foster big science projects. Shanghai's innovation entities will be supported in conducting joint research projects with global research institutes, building multilateral cooperation networks, and initiating or engaging in international big science programs and projects in fields such as particle physics, life sciences, climate change, and marine environment. Shanghai's innovation entities and global partners will be supported in strengthening cooperation and co-initiating international joint research programs under the framework of international science and technology organizations.
II. Talent Exchange and Mobility Action
The Action welcomes global high-level sci-tech talent and outstanding young scientists to work and conduct academic visits in Shanghai and supports global young sci-tech entrepreneurs to start up and develop their businesses in Shanghai.
4. To attract global high-level sci-tech talent to work in Shanghai. Leading talents worldwide, including chief scientists, academic and technical leaders, and their research teams recruited by Shanghai's research institutes and technology enterprises will be supported by the Magnolia Talent Program. Efforts will continue to streamline the procedures for visas and work permits for foreign talent, and green channels will be opened to facilitate foreign high-level sci-tech talent in coming to Shanghai for innovation and entrepreneurship. A list system for the recognition of international professional qualifications will be established and improved, and pilot reforms on immigration policies for high-tech talent will be launched to continuously enhance the convenience of entry and stay for global sci-tech talent. Enhanced services and support will be provided to ensure a better living experience for global sci-tech talent in Shanghai.
5. To support overseas young sci-tech talent to visit Shanghai for academic exchanges. Focusing on key fields such as basic research, frontier technologies and future industries, the Shanghai Sci-tech Co-research Program will be launched to fund outstanding overseas young scientists to conduct research cooperation and academic visits as visiting scholars in Shanghai's universities, as well as sci-tech research institutes and enterprises, and jointly foster high-level sci-tech talent with an international vision and development potential. Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship for Foreign Students will be fully leveraged to support outstanding international students in pursuing studies and conducting scientific research in Shanghai.
6. To encourage global young sci-tech entrepreneurs in starting businesses in Shanghai. The Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Acceleration Program will be launched to promote the global involvement of flagship events, such as 'Startup in Shanghai' International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition and Shanghai Global Talents Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition. Policies and service platforms, including the work permit for foreign entrepreneurs and Overseas Startup Gateway Program, will be further utilized to attract young sci-tech talent from around the world to launch startups in Shanghai. High-quality incubators, advanced proof-of-concept platforms, and the Overseas Students Entrepreneurship Park are thoroughly leveraged to position Shanghai as the premier destination in China for overseas startup teams.
III. International Science and Technology Organizations Introduction and Cultivation Action
The Action supports the development of international science and technology organizations in Shanghai and encourages collaboration between Shanghai's innovation entities and global partners on the establishment of international science and technology organizations in areas of strength and emerging fields. International science and technology organizations are supported to foster open sci-tech cooperation in Shanghai.
7. To attract international science and technology organizations. Globally influential international science and technology organizations will be supported in establishing headquarters or secretariats in Shanghai. Overseas science and technology NGOs are encouraged to set up representative offices in Shanghai. Comprehensive services and support will be provided for the development of these organizations in Shanghai. The international science and technology organizations will be supported in hosting high-level international academic and professional exchange events in Shanghai and participating in international exchanges and cooperation, such as the formulation of international standards and industry rules.
8. To foster and establish international science and technology organizations. Shanghai's innovation entities and global partners are encouraged to jointly initiate and establish international science and technology organizations, take the lead in building international cooperation alliances, and expand global collaboration networks in fields where Shanghai excels, including life sciences, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon development, healthcare and startup incubation, as well as in emerging frontier technologies and future industries.
IV. Open Science Action
The Action is to implement the International Science and Technology Cooperation Initiative and the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science and promote the sharing of scientific and technological resources and achievements with global partners.
9. To promote open sharing of scientific and technological innovation resources. Available research infrastructure is encouraged to be open to the global research community; further collaboration and exchange with international entities in the design, construction, operation and management of 'big science' facilities is welcomed. Global partners are supported in utilizing these facilities to conduct international joint research with Shanghai's innovation entities. To further enhance the open sharing of Shanghai's scientific and technological innovation resources with global partners by enhancing the ability of service provided by relevant carriers to internationals, such as the Shanghai R&D Public Service Platforms and the InnoMatch Global Technology Supply and Demand Matching Platform.
10. To increase scientific, technological, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Shanghai's innovation entities are encouraged to collaborate with global partners to deliver international training programs, such as workshops, seminars and summer schools in fields of artificial intelligence, healthcare, green and low-carbon technologies, modern agriculture, and startup incubation etc. These programs are designed to enhance international scientific, technological, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and to promote the exchange and dissemination of Chinese and international scientific and technological achievements.
11. To establish international platforms for exchanges in science and technology. To continuously enhance the international reputation and influence of flagship events in Shanghai, such as the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the Pujiang Innovation Forum (PIF), not only to build high-level international platforms for exchanges in science and technology, but also to establish mechanisms for in-depth alignment and bidirectional interaction with renowned overseas science and technology fairs and events. To deepen exchanges with relevant government departments and sci-tech organizations worldwide, establish dialogue mechanisms in frontier tech development, sci-tech governance and research ethics, thereby building a portfolio of flagship, institutionalized exchange programs.
V. Industrial Innovation Internationalization Action
The Action supports the internationalization of various innovation entities in Shanghai, with enterprises playing the leading role, to jointly explore international markets and expand global networks; supports foreign-invested enterprises in carrying out collaborative innovation, to integrate into and promote the development of Shanghai's sci-tech innovation ecosystem; and promotes the building of world-class science and technology parks to jointly advance industrial innovation.
12. To provide high-quality services for enterprises 'going global'. Shanghai's technology enterprises will be supported to deepen and expand their global innovation networks and market linkages. Enterprises are encouraged to establish overseas R&D centers, innovation centers, incubation bases and other platforms to carry out diversified international innovation cooperation. Enterprises will also be supported to participate in major international professional exhibitions and expand the global market presence of their innovative products. The development of platforms such as the Shanghai Belt and Road Comprehensive Service Center and the Shanghai Enterprises Going Global Comprehensive Service Platform will be strengthened, and professional service providers in legal, arbitration, financial, taxation, inspection, testing, and certification services will be supported in enhancing their cross-border service capacity. International development alliances for enterprises in sectors including biopharmaceuticals will be established. The roles of overseas chambers of commerce and associations, multinational corporations, and professional service providers will be leveraged to provide consulting, training, and other services for Shanghai enterprises going global.
13. To support the innovative development of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in Shanghai. Shanghai's government-funded science and technology programs are open to FIEs for equal access to application and funding. Scientific research infrastructure, generic technology R&D platforms, and public scientific and technological information are open to FIEs in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Foreign-invested R&D centers are encouraged to set up public-interest basic research funds. Basic research projects conducted by universities and research institutes with support from such funds will be eligible for government funding at a certain proportion. Government-funded Program for Co-innovation with foreign-invested R&D institutes is established, to support FIEs to cooperate with Shanghai's sci-tech research institutes and enterprises, to conduct basic research and cutting-edge technological innovation by co-building joint laboratories, so as to deliver high-quality R&D outcomes. FIEs are supported in establishing open innovation platforms, setting up proof-of-concept platforms and generic technology service platforms, and providing cross-border incubation services. They shall be entitled to equal access to Shanghai's policies supporting the cultivation of scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship carriers, including incentives, land and tax benefits.
14. To build world-class sci-tech parks. Further develop Zhangjiang Science City and the Grand NeoBay as functional zones for original scientific and technological innovation, and support all sub-parks of Zhangjiang High-tech Zone in increasing investment to enhance their international development. Global industrial and sci-tech parks, multinational corporations, and professional service providers will be promoted to deepen institutional cooperation with Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Zone and other parks in Shanghai. The development of international cooperation parks will be accelerated to attract high-quality industrial innovation projects to Shanghai and foster distinctive industrial innovation clusters.
VI. Innovation Ecosystem Optimization Action
The Action comprehensively optimizes the open environment for scientific and technological innovation and further fosters an international research and academic environment and innovation ecosystem.
15. To build an open environment for academic exchanges. Shanghai's innovation entities are encouraged to strengthen cooperation with global partners in developing high-level international science and technology journals and to jointly host international conferences in Shanghai to facilitate international academic exchange. Shanghai's universities, research institutes, and new-type R&D institutes are supported to align their research management, funding management mechanisms, and talent development systems with international standards, and to build key platforms conducive to international academic and talent exchanges. Support for international scientific and technological cooperation will be strengthened through the Shanghai Science and Technology Awards and the Magnolia Friendship Award.
16. To strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection. Rapid and coordinated protection mechanisms for key industries and the public service system will be improved, and a world-class IP business environment will be continuously fostered. Global IP service agencies and arbitration agencies will be supported to establish branch offices and conduct business in Shanghai in accordance with the law. The service capacity of the National Intellectual Property Operation (Shanghai) International Service Platform and other platforms will be continuously enhanced. Relevant entities are encouraged to register their eligible research data as data products in accordance with relevant regulations.
17. To facilitate customs clearance for research materials and cross-border data flow. Policies on temporary admission and exit of research materials will be implemented, and measures to streamline their customs clearance will be improved. Pilot policies for the import of materials used for biomedical R&D and testing will be optimized. The joint regulatory mechanism for the entry and exit of special articles will be further improved, and the entry and exit of cell therapy products and relevant special articles will be supported. Efforts will be made to accelerate the establishment and improvement of institutional systems and standards concerning the transaction, circulation, cross-border transmission and security protection of data resources. On the premise of compliance with laws and regulations and ensuring security, the facilitation of cross-border data flow will be enhanced, and the implementation of a classified and graded data protection system will be accelerated.
18. To leverage the opening-up advantages of key areas. Relying on the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (including Lin-gang Special Area), Shanghai will develop open innovation functions, including bonded R&D, offshore incubation and cross-border technology transactions, and support Lin-gang Special Area in building a global offshore innovation hub. Leveraging the functions of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, Shanghai's innovation entities will be supported in hosting science and technology exchange activities, including specialized academic conferences, and the establishment of proof-of-concept platforms and open innovation platforms in the zone will be supported. Giving play to the role of the Hongqiao International Central Business District as an open hub, support will be given to innovation resources and service providers, such as InnoMatch, to build an innovation network radiating the Yangtze River Delta and connecting with the world.