East China Normal University has launched its first International Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, which serves as ECNU's special track for international projects under the China International College Students Innovation Competition (2026). Registration runs from March 21 to April 30, 2026.

 

Purpose of the competition

The competition aims to inspire innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among international students while providing a platform for practical exchange between young people from China and abroad. It is designed to promote teaching, learning, and innovation through competition, facilitate the transformation of ideas into practice, and help cultivate top-tier talent.

Outstanding projects will be recommended for subsequent rounds of the China International College Students Innovation Competition (2026).

 

I. Entry requirements

Entries must promote positive values and be authentic, sound, and lawful, with no illegal or non-compliant content. For any inventions, patents, or technologies involved, the team must possess clear and lawful intellectual property rights or ownership rights. Plagiarism, misappropriation, and submission of false materials are strictly prohibited. Violators will be disqualified and held legally accountable.

Eligibility

Participants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

- Be current international students at ECNU, including degree students, non-degree students, and advanced studies students

- Be international alumni who graduated within the last five years, defined as graduates from 2021 or later, as verified by their highest degree certificate

Note: Alumni may only apply with start-up projects that have completed all required business registration.

Competition categories

1. Life Improvement and Digital Tools

Leverage digital technologies to improve campus life and daily routines, with a focus on smart campuses and lifestyle services, while prioritizing user experience.

2. Cutting-edge technology and cross-disciplinary applications

Integrate cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, into fields such as education and healthcare, with an emphasis on practical applications and cross-disciplinary integration.

3. Cultural exchange and creative experiences

Promote cultural exchange between China and other countries through innovative formats, including applications that combine language learning with cultural exploration, immersive cultural experiences (both digital and physical), cross-cultural creative content (videos and games), and social products or services that foster cultural connection.

4. Green technology and sustainable living

Focus on technological or model innovations that promote resource circulation and enhance the sustainability of urban and rural communities. Projects may address global issues such as the research and development of eco-friendly materials, the design of energy-saving solutions, the promotion of sustainable consumption, and green transport solutions.

5. Language learning and educational innovation

Enhance the teaching effectiveness and learning experience of Chinese as a second language through innovative approaches, while supporting the high-quality development of international Chinese language education. Projects may include the development of language learning tools and the innovation of teaching resources.

6. Volunteering and social welfare

This category focuses on public service initiatives that contribute to society. Projects may include volunteer services in international Chinese language education, such as supporting Chinese language teaching overseas, community healthcare services, public welfare training, and assistance for vulnerable groups. Teams are encouraged to integrate their professional expertise with volunteer service to create shared social value.

7. Other

Innovation and entrepreneurship projects that do not fall under any of the above categories but meet the basic requirements of the competition.

Note: The competition encourages international students to give full play to their cross-cultural backgrounds, actively explore successful experiences in technological innovation, social development, and cultural education from their home countries or countries of study. Students are also encouraged to promote mutual learning between China and other countries through creative adaptation and project-based practice.

II.  Competition rules

A. Team formation rules for degree students

- Entries must be submitted in teams, with each team comprising a minimum of three and a maximum of eight members, including the project leader.

- Each team must appoint one project leader and may appoint supervising teachers voluntarily: one for teams of up to five members, and up to two for teams of more than five members.

Based on the members' academic backgrounds, teams are divided into:

- Undergraduate group: All members must be current undergraduate students or alumni who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2021 or later.

- Graduate group: All members must be current master's or doctoral students, or alumni who graduated with a postgraduate degree in 2021 or later.

B. Team formation rules for non-degree students

- Entries must be submitted in teams, with each team comprising a minimum of three and a maximum of eight members, including the project leader.

- Each team must appoint one project leader and may appoint supervising teachers voluntarily: one for teams of up to five members, and up to two for teams of more than five members.

Based on the members' academic backgrounds, teams are divided into:

- Undergraduate group: All members must be current undergraduate students enrolled at an overseas higher education institution or graduates who completed undergraduate studies in 2021 or later.

- Graduate group: All members must be current master's or doctoral students enrolled at an overseas higher education institution, or graduates who completed postgraduate studies in 2021 or later.

 

Special reminder

- Current degree and non-degree students, including language students and advanced studies students, may invite university students from their home countries or alumni who graduated in 2021 or later to form teams.

- Invited members must provide proof of student status or academic qualifications.

- The team leader for the competition must be a current ECNU student.

 

III. Competition schedule

1. Registration: March 21 to April 30, 2026

Registration is now open. Teams may submit their application materials online. Late submissions will not be accepted.

2. Eligibility verification and preliminary screening: Early May 2026

The organizing committee will arrange expert reviews of the submissions and announce the list of projects selected for the final round.

3. Final round and on-site presentation and defense: Mid-May 2026

Selected projects will participate in an on-site presentation and defense. The specific time and venue will be announced separately. The list of winning teams will be announced at the event.

4. Announcement of results and recommendations:

Following the presentations, the organizing committee will select outstanding projects to recommend for the subsequent rounds of the China International College Students Innovation Competition (2026).

 

Awards

- This competition will present Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Excellence Awards. In addition, Outstanding Instructor Awards will be conferred in recognition of teachers of winning projects.

- Teams recommended for subsequent rounds of the China International College Students Innovation Competition will receive professional guidance for the next stage.

 

IV. Registration

1. Registration instructions

Participating teams can scan the QR code below to complete the online registration and upload the following required documents:

- A project business plan in PPT format.

- Non-degree students, including advanced studies students, must provide supporting identity documents for team members, such as an enrollment certificate issued by an overseas higher education institution.

- Projects that have completed industrial and commercial registration must submit a scanned copy of the business license and proof of equity structure.

2. Language requirement

Submissions must be entirely in either Chinese or English; mixing the two languages is not permitted.

3. Contact

For any questions, please contact the organizing committee at isu@gec.ecnu.edu.cn

 

Important notice

All participants are deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to all the rules and statements of this competition. Any behavior violating the principles of fair competition is strictly forbidden. The organizing committee will make independent determinations and take appropriate action in accordance with the rules.

The organizing committee reserves the right to make the final interpretation of the competition rules and may make reasonable adjustments to the competition rules, schedule, and other details based on actual circumstances. Any adjustments will be announced through official channels.

 

Source: Official WeChat account of Global Education Center of ECNU (ID: "ecnugec")