Shanghai has announced its 2026 policies for the doctoral living subsidy program, aiming to accelerate the development of the Grand Neobay science and technology innovation source area. Applications are now open. Details are as follows.

I. Subsidy amount

Full-time doctoral graduates from domestic and overseas universities employed by enterprises or public institutions within the Grand Neobay area will receive an annual living subsidy of 30,000 yuan (about $4,317) per person for three consecutive years.

Note: Applicants who receive the Minhang district's doctoral graduate housing support are not eligible for this subsidy.

II. Eligibility criteria

(A) Employer eligibility

The applying entity must be an enterprise or public institution registered and operating within the Grand Neobay area, and it must be an independent legal entity.

(B) Individual eligibility

1. Applicants must be newly graduated full-time doctoral degree holders from a domestic or overseas university. For the current application period, the date on the graduation certificate must be between Jan 1, 2025, and Dec 31, 2025.

2. Applicants must have been continuously employed by the applying unit and have made at least six months of standard social insurance contributions, excluding any supplementary payments.

III. Application materials

1. An application form for the development special fund of the Grand Neobay science and technology innovation source area.

2. Valid identity documents of the applicant, such as a resident identity card or a passport.

3. Doctoral diploma and degree certificates.

4. For overseas doctoral graduates, a Certificate of Accreditation and Evaluation of Foreign (Overseas) Academic Diploma or Degree issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Ministry of Education is required.

5. Employment contract with an enterprise or public institution valid for more than one year. For applicants engaged in entrepreneurship, provide proof of tax payment for at least six months and a business license.

6. Proof of the applicant's social insurance contributions paid by their employer for latest six months.

7. A certificate of no criminal record. The certificate can be applied for online via the "Suishenban 随申办" app or obtained offline at a police station.

IV. Application method

1. Applications must be submitted online. The employer should log in to the Government Online-Offline Shanghai (一网通办) website using its "Legal Entity One Pass" (法人一证通) account, go to the "Policy Supermarket" (政策超市) section, and locate the corresponding subsidy item.

2. Employer must complete the required application form. After verifying the applicant’s original documents, the employer must upload the relevant supporting materials online. Upon submission, the application must be signed by the applicant and stamped by the employer.

V. Application timeline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline.

VI. Contact

Minhang District High-Level Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center:

- For inquiries regarding the domestic doctoral graduate subsidy: 021-5227-5103

- For inquiries regarding the overseas doctoral graduate subsidy: 021-5227-5101

Source: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai International Talent Center (ID: "sh-italent")