Shanghai's Pudong New Area is now inviting applications for its "Pearl Elite Talent" program, a key component of the "Pearl Talent Plan". This program targets outstanding entrepreneurial and innovative professionals who demonstrate strong leadership in scientific research, technological innovation, and industrial development.

 

Eligibility

1. Entrepreneurship category

(1) Applicants should hold a master's degree from a well-known university and be no older than 40 years old (born on or after Jan 1, 1985).

(2) Applicants must have held an official position at a well-known university, research institution, or enterprise for at least 36 months. The employment duration is calculated up to Jan 1, 2025.

(3) Applicants must be the principal founder of an enterprise. For companies established for one to five years, the applicant must be the largest shareholder or individual shareholder and has secured over 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) in venture capital in principle. For companies established for five years or more, the applicant must be the founder, and the new investment amount should generally be at least 30 million yuan.

The establishment date of the enterprise is determined based on its official registration date, with the cutoff set at Jan 1, 2025. The calculation of new investment begins on Jan 1, 2023.

(4) There must be no disputes over intellectual property rights, confidentiality agreements, non-compete clauses, or restrictions on receiving compensation from multiple positions, and the applicant must provide a clear commitment to this effect.

For exceptional candidates recommended by experts, requirements regarding age, educational background, and work experience may be appropriately relaxed.

Each employer may nominate only one applicant for the entrepreneurship category.

2. Innovation category

(1) Applicants should hold a doctoral degree and be no older than 40 years old (born on or after Jan 1, 1985).

(2) Applicants must have worked for at least 36 months in natural sciences, engineering, or related research fields at a well-known university, research institution, or enterprise. The duration is calculated up to Jan 1, 2025.

(3) Within the past five years, applicants must have published significant papers in reputable domestic or international journals or be listed as the inventor of major scientific and technological achievements. The cutoff date for this requirement is Jan 1, 2025.

(4) There must be no disputes over intellectual property rights, confidentiality agreements, non-compete clauses, or restrictions on receiving compensation from multiple positions, and the applicant must provide a clear written commitment to this effect.

For exceptional candidates recommended by experts, requirements regarding age, educational background, and work experience may be appropriately relaxed.

Eligible applicants must already be working full-time at the employer or have signed a full-time employment contract or letter of intent with the employer, and must commit to working full-time at the employer for no less than three years upon selection.

For the innovation category of the "Pearl Elite Talent" program, each employer may nominate up to 10 candidates. Newly introduced talent must account for at least 20 percent of the total, unless only one candidate is nominated for the position. Newly introduced overseas talent is not counted toward the quota.

"Newly introduced" refers to individuals who have signed a letter of intent but have not yet started full-time work in Pudong, or who began full-time work in Pudong on or after Jan 1, 2024.

"Newly introduced overseas talent" refers to individuals who have worked or studied overseas for 12 months or more, have either signed a letter of intent but have not yet commenced full-time work in China, or began full-time work in China on or after Jan 1, 2024.

Programs of the same type under the "Pearl Talent Plan" may be applied for no more than twice within a three-year period.

 

Support

1. Individual financial support

Each selected applicant will receive a one-time funding grant of 500,000 yuan.

2. Business development support

Entrepreneurship category selectees will receive priority access to industrial land and office rental space, along with an annual rent subsidy of up to 300,000 yuan for a period of three years.

Enterprises or institutions founded by selected applicants will benefit from a fast-track policy service channel that includes institutional subsidies, support for technology companies and R&D projects, intellectual property funding, investment and financing assistance, and support for talent residency. After review by relevant authorities through special policy evaluations, these enterprises will receive preferential policy support under equal conditions.

3. Living support

Qualified selectees will receive a monthly housing subsidy of 3,000 yuan for up to three years. They will also be given priority access to district-level talent apartments.

Selectees are provided with a range of comprehensive services, including assistance with residency applications, healthcare access, health checkups, and recuperation options. They may also receive direct recommendations for securing permanent residency in Pudong, as well as for obtaining long-term work and residence permits. Streamlined customs procedures will also be available for the entry and exit of personal belongings.

 

Application

The application period for this year is from June 16 to July 31, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online; no paper materials are required.

Applicants should submit their application materials through the designated channels provided by their employers. For further details, please visit https://rczc.pudong.gov.cn or https://pyd.pudong.gov.cn/rczc/, where applicants can complete the online application form and upload relevant supporting documents as attachments.

Required attachments are as follows:

• Identification documents
• Academic degree certificates, academic credential verification, professional qualification certificates, and other materials that demonstrate professional competence
• A signed employment contract or letter of intent with the employer. Entrepreneurial talent must also provide supporting documents such as shareholder certificates, articles of association, proof of venture capital funding, and project investment documentation.
• Proof of work experience
• Proof of scientific research achievements and projects led by the applicant
• Other required materials

 

Direct recognition channel for overseas young sci-tech talent

PhD holders in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a globally recognized top 200 university who came to China on or after Jan 1, 2024, and possess a minimum of three years of relevant overseas work experience may be considered for direct recognition as recommended candidates for the "Pearl Elite Talent" program in the innovation category. Upon submission of an online application and subsequent verification by relevant authorities, these applicants may be exempt from the standard evaluation process.

University rankings are based on the latest lists published by Times Higher Education, US News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Applications submitted through this fast-track channel do not affect the employer's quota. The channel remains open year-round. For detailed application guidelines, please click here.

 

For inquiries, please call 021-5860-1269 or 021-5860-1307.

 

Source: Official website of Pudong International Talent Hub