To: Young scientists worldwide and relevant organizations,

In coherence with the Global Sci-Tech Partnership Initiative, the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(STCSM) hereby releases the 2026 Application Guide for the Shanghai Sci-tech Co-research Program.

I. Program Overview

The Program aims to further promote the development of Shanghai’s international research environment. It supports all types of innovation entities in Shanghai to invite foreign young scientists for joint scientific research and collaboration focusing on high-risk, high-value basic research and cutting-edge technological fields.

Project Implementation Period: 2 years.

Funding: Fixed grants with RMB 400,000 per project.

II. Application Requirements

1. For the host organization:

The host organization shall be legal entities or unincorporated organizations registered in Shanghai, capable of implementing the program.

2. The project applicant entity and principal investigator shall abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and the relevant administrative provisions of Shanghai, and shall objectively and promptly report major issues that arise during project implementation.

3. For the applicant:

The applicant, as the principal investigator and primary grant recipient of the program, shall meet all the following criteria:

（1）Demonstrate academic integrity and adherence to research ethics, capable to undertake and complete the proposed collaborative tasks, and promptly report any significant issues arising during program implementation.

（2）Hold a foreign nationality.

（3）Hold a Ph.D. in natural sciences or engineering from a world-class university or internationally renowned research institution.

（4）Be under the age of 45(born on or after January 1, 1981).

（5）Hold a formal teaching or research position at an overseas university, research institution, or corporate R&D department,etc.

（6）Not be employed full-time within China or serve as a legal representative or principal executive of a Chinese enterprise.

4. During the project period, the applicant must conduct research in Shanghai for a cumulative total of no less than 6 months, including one continuous stay of no less than 3 months.

5. The host organization may assign program assistants to assist the applicant in project application and management, ensuring fulfillment of collaboration tasks and timely reporting of significant issues.

6. Duplicate applications are not permitted. The same applicant may not apply for two or more projects under this program.

7. The project applicant entity and principal investigator shall timely, completely and accurately record scientific data generated in the course of research, and shall, in accordance with the relevant requirements, complete the submission of such scientific data during the project implementation.

8. For projects based on prior funding programs（e.g. by municipal funds, MOST, or NSFC）, applicants must clarify the differences, continuity, and development relative to previous work.

9. All applicants and participants shall adhere to research integrity requirements and scientific ethics guidelines, confirm the authenticity of submitted materials, and the host organization is responsible for verifying applicant eligibility and material integrity. Proposals containing confidential information are not accepted.

10. If the applicant requests to exclude certain experts from the review panel, an official letter needs to be issued by the host organization and uploaded with the feasibility plan, indicating the list of excluded experts and the corresponding reasons for the exclusion.

11. Applicants currently leading two or more ongoing projects funded by STCSM are ineligible to apply as principal investigators.

12. Project funding follows a lump-sum management system. Direct project-related expenses must account for over 80% of the total funding, complying with municipal regulations on negative-list management. Fund usage is autonomously decided by the project team in accordance with actual needs.

III. Application Process

1. Initial Contact:

Prospective applicants who meet the eligibility criteria shall establish contact with a potential host organization in Shanghai expressing interest in collaboration. The host organization will assist in submitting the application.

2. Timeline & Review:

（1）Applications must be submitted online via the "Shanghai Science and Technology Management Information System" (svc.stcsm.sh.gov.cn). No hard copies are required.

（2）Shanghai Sci-tech Co-research Program accepts applications year-round and approves projects in batches. For year 2026, the application submission begins at 9:00 AM on 28th Jan, 2026 and ends at 4:30 PM on 31st Dec, 2026（including online review and final submission by the applying institution）.

（3）A one-round panel review will be conducted.

IV. For inquiries, please contact:

Landline: +86-800-820-5114

Mobile: +86-400-820-5114

Attachment: Project Proposal（application form）