Shanghai's Hongkou district has opened applications for the first round of 2026 funding applications to support the recruitment of top international professionals and outstanding overseas young talent.

The program is designed to advance Shanghai's development as a high-level global talent hub, with a particular focus on positioning the North Bund as a benchmark area.

Below are the application details, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the support.

Eligibility

I. International top talent

1.  Individuals at the forefront of global academia and technology, with established international reputations, solid scientific and humanistic foundations, forward-looking vision, interdisciplinary expertise, and leadership in large-scale collaborative projects.

This category predominantly includes:

- Recipients of prestigious international awards such as the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Wolf Prize, Turing Award, Lasker Awards, Abel Prize, Crafoord Prize, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Academy Awards.

- Members of the world's leading academies of science and engineering

- Individuals selected under the Pearl Talent Plan of Pudong New Area

- Individuals selected for the Global Outstanding Talent Priority Service Program (a designated talent support mechanism) of Shanghai

- Other professionals of equivalent stature

2.  Individuals who have returned to China, or arrived in China, on or after Jan 1, 2023, and have signed an employment contract for three years or more, with a remaining contract validity of no less than one year upon application. Eligible employers include established institutions, master studios, and academic workstations.

II. Outstanding overseas young talent

1. Individuals who graduated on or after Jan 1, 2023, from overseas universities or institutions ranked among the world's top 200 according to the latest publicly available rankings such as Times Higher Education, US News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

2. Individuals who have signed a full-time employment contract for three years or more, with a remaining contract validity of no less than one year upon application.

3. Individuals legally enrolled in and contributing to Shanghai's social insurance system.

4. Individuals born on or after Jan 1, 1986.

III. Employer

1. Legally established within the district.

2. Operating in compliance with regulations, maintaining a good credit record aligned with regional development goals, and having no record of serious criminal or illegal actions.

3. Having successfully introduced talented individuals from the two categories mentioned above.

Funding standards

1. Recognized international top talent may receive a one-time grant of up to one million yuan ($143,580), including individual income tax. The funding may be allocated to both the recipient and core team members.

2. Recognized outstanding overseas young talent will be eligible for a one-time grant of 50,000 yuan per person, including personal income tax.

3. Employers who successfully recruit the above-mentioned talent will be eligible for a one-time support fund of 50,000 yuan per person, with an annual maximum of 200,000 yuan per employer, upon recognition.

Application platform

I. Application period

Jan 21, 2026, to March 31, 2026

II. Application channels

1. Online preliminary review:

Both the individual and employer should submit scanned copies of all required application documents to the designated email address: hkrc_zp@163.com. The applicant and the employer are both responsible for the authenticity of all submitted materials.

2. In-person submission:

Upon approval at the preliminary review stage, the applicant or an authorized representative of the employing institution must submit a complete set of hard-copy application materials to the designated service window at the Hongkou District Talent Development Service Center.

Location: Window 11, 1st Floor, Zone A, No 1230 North Zhongshan Road Number One.

III. Contact

021-6512-3028

Application document checklist

1. Hongkou District Funding Application Form for Introducing International Top Talent and Outstanding Overseas Young Talent (Individual).

2. Hongkou District Funding Application Form for Introducing International Top Talent and Outstanding Overseas Young Talent (Employer)。

3. Copy of the applicant's valid identity document, such as an ID card and passport. Both the front and back of the document must be provided.

4. Authenticated copy of the applicant's highest academic diploma and degree certificate. Overseas degrees must be certified by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under China's Ministry of Education.

5. For foreign nationals, copies of a valid and legal work permit and residence permit in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations.

6. Copy of the applicant's employment contract with the current employer. The contract must comply with national regulations, have a duration of three years or more, and retain at least one year of validity upon application. For applicants employed in established institutions, master studios, or academician workstations within the district, supporting documents certified by the relevant competent authority must be provided.

7. Outstanding overseas young talent must submit proof of enrollment in Shanghai's urban social insurance system.

8. Other relevant supporting materials.

 

Source: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai Hongkou District Talent Development Service Center (ID: "shhkrc")