The 5th Shanghai Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is now open for registration, offering support to postdoctoral talent in advancing high-tech research and launching business ventures.

Participants can apply in either the innovation or entrepreneurship group. Eligible fields include:

• Next-generation information technology and artificial intelligence
• High-end equipment manufacturing and robotics
• Biomedicine and comprehensive health
• New energy, energy conservation and environmental protection
• New materials and petrochemicals
• Modern agriculture and food
• Other sectors

Innovation group

Participants must meet the following criteria:

1. At least one technical R&D leader or core R&D team member must be a postdoctoral researcher who is currently working at a Shanghai-based station or has completed a domestic postdoctoral program and remained in Shanghai.

2. The project must be innovative, aligned with China's high-quality industrial development goals and technological self-reliance strategies, and demonstrate strong market potential and competitive advantages. It must have completed a prototype, fulfilled service contracts, or yielded other research results ready for urgent investment and commercialization. By the registration deadline, the project must not yet be registered or in operation in China.

3. The project's outcomes, products or services must comply with national laws, regulations and industrial policies. Participants must hold legal and independent intellectual property rights or usage rights for the project and must not be subject to any non-compete, confidentiality, or similar contractual restrictions.

Entrepreneurship group

Participants must meet the following criteria:

1. The startup must have been officially registered in Shanghai between Jan 1, 2020, and the competition's registration deadline. At least one of the company's legal representatives or shareholders must be a postdoctoral researcher currently working at a Shanghai-based station or one who has completed a domestic postdoctoral program and remained in Shanghai.

2. The company must demonstrate innovation capacity and high growth potential, and possess innovative products, technologies or a complete business model. It must align with China's high-quality industrial development priorities, and its core business should focus on the research, manufacture or servicing of high-tech products.

3. The company must be unlisted and its 2024 annual operating revenue must not exceed 200 million yuan ($27.6 million).

4. The company's development must comply with national laws, regulations and industrial policies, and it must operate in a well-regulated manner with a positive reputation. The company must not be involved in any intellectual property disputes or bound by non-compete or confidentiality restrictions.

• Now – May 28: Registration

Click here to apply.

• May 29 – June 13: Recommendation and eligibility review

Postdoctoral stations and innovation practice bases in Shanghai will confirm candidates' eligibility based on the competition's quota allocation table and submit their recommendations. The Shanghai Municipal Talent Work Bureau, together with relevant departments, will complete the qualification review.

• June 14 – July 8: Preliminary round

The bureau will organize preliminary evaluations and confirm the list of finalists.

• By end of July: Final round

The final will be held at the Xuhui campus of East China University of Science and Technology. Contestants will present their projects in person, with evaluations conducted by renowned industry experts, investment and incubator professionals. Around 30 contestants from both the Innovation and Entrepreneurship groups will receive the gold award.

1. Full-time postdoctoral researchers who win awards will be directly included in the "Shanghai Post-doctoral Excellence Program" and receive a one-time grant of 300,000 yuan. Those who have already received the funding or have completed their postdoctoral work will receive a one-time award of 100,000 yuan upon winning.

2. Outstanding participants will be recommended for advancement to the national postdoctoral innovation & entrepreneurship competition and the semifinal round of the Shanghai Global Talents Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition.

3. Award-winning postdocs will receive support from venture capital firms, incubators, banks, industry experts, and young model entrepreneurs, offering services such as project evaluation, pitch coaching, funding and incubation support, and credit access.

4. Relevant departments will provide support for commercialization, such as project valuation, negotiation, and matchmaking services. District-level authorities will offer entrepreneurial projects assistance with investment, financing and office space.

5. Award-winning postdocs who meet relevant requirements may be eligible for a municipal housing rental subsidy for up to six years. Priority will also be given when applying for postdoctoral apartments in Shanghai and when handling procedures for residency registration upon entry into and exit from postdoctoral stations.

Source: sh-italent.com