Shanghai's Jing'an district has unveiled the "Jingying" talent plan, a comprehensive initiative designed to attract and cultivate top-tier professionals through financial incentives, career development opportunities, and a range of support services. The program targets both seasoned experts and rising young professionals across various industries, aiming to bolster the district's talent pool and drive regional growth.

Jing'an district talent work bureau has now opened applications for the first batch of the 2026 program.

The initiative seeks to attract high-level domestic and international professionals with strategic vision, global perspective, strong scientific research and innovation capabilities, and deep professional expertise. It is structured around two categories: "Jingying" high-level talent and "Jingying" youth talent, each with its own eligibility criteria.

Relevant application requirements are listed as follows.

I. Eligibility

1. Basic requirements

• Applicants must abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, demonstrate good professional ethics and an innovative spirit, and be widely recognized by both the industry and society for their professional competence.
• Applicants should generally be professionals who have been recruited or cultivated by enterprises or public institutions legally established in Jing'an district.
• Applicants must have signed a labor contract with their employers, or have founded or co-founded an enterprise in Jing'an with domestically leading technologies capable of promoting industrial transformation and upgrading.
• Applicants, including any enterprises they have previously founded, must have a sound credit record, and must not be listed as targets of joint disciplinary action for dishonesty.

2. Talent categories and qualifications

"Jingying" High-Level Talent

(1) Top Talent

- Global leaders in academia and technology.

- Internationally recognized for their contributions.

- Possess exceptional foresight, interdisciplinary expertise, and leadership in large-scale projects.

- Urgently needed for Jing'an's development.

(2) Outstanding Talent

- Professionals who have reached a nationally advanced level in their respective fields.

- Drive advancements in their disciplines and industries.

- Achieve systematic and innovative breakthroughs in critical sectors.

(3) High-end Talent

- Academically accomplished experts.

- Contribute significantly to Shanghai's academic, industrial, and technological innovation.

- Widely recognized by peers both locally and nationally.

(4) Key Talent

- Deliver significant development results or solve core technical challenges in key industries or major projects in Jing'an.

- Recognized by industry peers and experts.

- Have made substantial contributions to regional economic and social development.

(5) Professional Talent

- Have a strong academic background and professional expertise.

- Demonstrate innovation potential and teamwork skills.

- Play a vital role in supporting the district's key industries and priority fields.

- Possess special skills and have representative and exemplary achievements in a specific field.

- Contribute to regional economic and social development.

"Jingying" Youth Talent

This term generally refers to outstanding young professionals playing a fundamental and supportive role across various industries and fields in Jing'an, serving as a key reserve force for the district's talent pool.

Applicants in this category must meet the following criteria:

(1) Possess a strong academic background and professional foundation, such as a master's or doctoral degree from a domestic "Double First-Class" university or a university ranked among the world's top 200 according to US NEWS, QS, THE, or ARWU rankings.

(2) Have at least two years' relevant work experience.

(3) Generally be under 40 years of age.

(4) Demonstrate strong innovation and teamwork abilities, play an active role within the team, or show potential to become an outstanding or leading talent in their field.

(5) Other outstanding young professionals meeting the relevant conditions.

II. Talent recognition

1. Recommendation-based recognition

- Top Talent, Outstanding Talent, and High-end Talent: Proposed candidates are recommended by industry authorities or experts.

- Youth Talent: Proposed candidates are recommended and reviewed by industry authorities.

2. Employer-based recognition

Key Talent and Professional Talent: Key local employers recommended by industry authorities can independently designate a certain quota of candidates in the two categories based on the talent criteria.

Nominated candidates should include a certain proportion of newly recruited professionals or be associated with newly established projects. Each employer can apply for a maximum of two Key Talent and five Professional Talent candidates per application batch. If there are no newly introduced professionals or newly established projects, the maximum quota per batch is reduced to one candidate in each group.

3. Direct recognition

- Core members of a Top Talent team can be directly designated as candidates for Outstanding Talent.

- Core members of an Outstanding Talent team can be directly designated as candidates for High-end Talent.

- Individuals newly selected for national or municipal-level high-level talent programs will be directly designated as candidates for Outstanding Talent or High-end Talent, according to their respective talent category.

- Directly recognized individuals must meet the relevant criteria for the respective talent category.

III. Application process and timeline

1. Employer registration and login

Employers should log in to the enterprise-specific section of the Government Online-Offline Shanghai (一网通办) website, click on the Jing'an Talent Policy and Service section, select "online application" under the "Jingying" Talent Plan, and follow the instructions to complete the company's information.

2. Employer application

- Deadline: March 31

- After logging into the application system, employers should click "employer application" (单位申报) — "add new" (新增) and complete the relevant information for the proposed applicants.

- The application operates under a notification and commitment system. All application and supporting materials must be authentic and valid. Any falsification will result in disqualification. For classified materials or sensitive information, please contact the bureau directly and submit them in paper format.

3. Department preliminary review

- Time: From now until April 10

- Relevant departments log in to the Jing'an Talent Integrated Service Platform and conduct preliminary reviews of application materials as well as attachments according to the talent criteria, including employer registration information and individual application details.

- All submitted materials must be verified against the originals. If the originals cannot be provided or if they are inconsistent with the attached materials, the application will be returned for revision. Upon confirmation, departments shall submit the applications to the district talent work bureau.

4. Selection and approval

The district talent work bureau will collate and summarize the applications, conduct reviews with relevant industry authorities, and determine a list of proposed candidates. After undergoing relevant procedures, including review, deliberation, and public announcement without objection, the candidates will be formally enrolled in the "Jingying" Talent list.

IV. Support measures

Newly recognized "Jingying" High-Level Talent recipients will receive a one-time grant to support their relocation and settlement. They will also receive access to tiered policy support and talent services based on their classification.

Detailed incentives will be announced separately.

 

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Jing'an District Talent Service Center (ID: "jarcfw")