To attract outstanding overseas talent to work and start businesses in Shanghai, the city has launched the 2026 Magnolia Talent Program Pujiang Project. Applications are now open.

I. Application scope

(I) Category A: Scientific Research and Development

1. Eligibility: Applicants must be engaged in research in the natural sciences and technology at universities, research institutes (including new R&D institutions), and other relevant organizations in Shanghai.

2. Project duration: Dec 1, 2026, to Nov 30, 2028.

3. Funding: A fixed grant of 300,000 yuan (about $44,150) per person.

(II) Category B: Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship

1. Eligibility: Applicants must be engaged in scientific and technological innovation research at enterprises in Shanghai or have founded a technology-based enterprise as an overseas-educated professional.

2. Project duration: Dec 1, 2026, to Nov 30, 2028.

3. Funding: A fixed grant of 300,000 yuan per person.

(III) Category C: Social Sciences

1. Eligibility: Applicants must be engaged in innovative research in the humanities and social sciences at organizations in Shanghai or have founded a cultural and creative enterprise as an overseas-educated professional.

2. Project duration: Dec 1, 2026, to Nov 30, 2028.

3. Funding: A fixed grant of 150,000 yuan per person.

(IV) Category D: Specially and Urgently Needed Talent

1. Eligibility: The applicant's innovative research, or an enterprise founded by the applicant as an overseas-educated professional, must fall within the annual funding areas for specially and urgently needed talent, and the applicant must be recommended on merit by a relevant organization.

2. Project duration: Dec 1, 2026, to Nov 30, 2028.

3. Funding: A fixed grant of 300,000 yuan per person, or 500,000 yuan per team.

 

II. Application requirements

Applicants must be overseas-educated professionals or teams of such professionals coming to Shanghai to work or start businesses. Besides fulfilling the conditions of the Pujiang Project, they must also satisfy the following requirements:

1. The project applicant organization must be registered in Shanghai and have the capacity to implement the project.

2. Research projects that have already received government funding may not be submitted again.

3. All applicant organizations and project participants must comply with research ethics and integrity requirements. The project leader must attest to the authenticity of the submitted materials. The applicant organization is responsible for the applicant's eligibility and for the authenticity and completeness of the application materials. Project applications containing confidential information are not permitted.

4. If an applicant requests the recusal of particular experts, an official letter from the applicant organization listing the experts to be recused and stating the reasons must be uploaded when the project application is submitted.

5. Applicants must be no older than 45 years, meaning they were born on or after Jan 1, 1981. Upon selection, they must commit to working full-time in Shanghai on innovation or entrepreneurship, with at least 9 months of work in Shanghai per year. For team project applications, there must be at least 3 applicants. All members must meet the application requirements. The team must be recruited as a whole by a local organization or must start a business together as a founding team.

6. Overseas-educated applicants coming to Shanghai for innovative research must have entered China after Jan 1, 2023, while those coming to start businesses must have entered China after Jan 1, 2022. Applicants and teams that have not yet entered China may also apply if they have reached a clear understanding with a Shanghai employer regarding employment or an agreement in principle with a relevant entrepreneurship park to establish a business there. Continuous overseas study or training undertaken as a student, and the date of entry for work or entrepreneurship, will be determined from entry and exit records.

7. Notes on applications for Category D (Specially and Urgently Needed Talent) in 2026:

(1) Annual funding areas: integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, electronic information, life and health, high-end equipment, and advanced materials.

(2) Considering the city's industrial distribution and development characteristics, relevant organizations and authorities may recommend urgently needed innovation talent and enterprises founded by overseas-educated professionals on merit. Entrepreneurship applications are subject to the Category B requirements. Postdoctoral researchers may apply for Category D if they submit a valid postdoctoral agreement, such as a tripartite agreement, that substantially covers the program period and are recommended on merit by their host organization or its competent authority.

8. Applicants may only apply for one of the program categories.

III. Application process

1. All applicants must first complete eligibility verification before submitting a project application. Online eligibility verification submissions will be accepted from July 2 to Aug 14, 2026.

2. Project applications are submitted online. No paper materials are required.

Applicants can apply online through the Shanghai International Talent website at https://www.sh-italent.com.

3. Online application period: July 6 to Aug 21, 2026, including online review and submission by the applicant organization.

 

IV. Review

The program adopts a two-round review process.

 

V. Contact

1. For eligibility verification and Category C and D application consultation:

Shanghai Talent Development Service Center

Tel: 021-3250-8103

Email: pjrcjh@163.com

2. For Category A and B application consultation:

Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology

Tel: 021-12345; 800-820-5114 (landline); 400-820-5114 (mobile)

 

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Talent Work; official WeChat account of the Shanghai International Talent Center (ID: "sh-italent")