The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Finance, has revised the management measures for the city's sci-tech innovation vouchers.

Effective from Sept 1, 2025 through Aug 31, 2030, these measures aim to stimulate innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises, enhance the high-quality development of the science and technology services sector, and foster a robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Innovation vouchers are electronic coupons funded by municipal financial resources. They help technology-oriented SMEs and innovation teams purchase professional services from service institutions. These vouchers are distributed through an "automatically granted" model, requiring no application.

I. Eligibility for voucher use

1. Enterprises

• Registered technology-oriented SMEs in Shanghai, including those meeting the criteria for inclusion in the national information service platform for technology-oriented SMEs, high-tech SMEs, and specialized, high-end, innovation-driven SMEs providing distinctive products or services.
• Other technology-oriented SMEs can self-assess for voucher eligibility.

2. Teams

• Innovation and entrepreneurship teams with at least three core members, based in Shanghai's tech incubators, university science parks, or maker spaces, but have not yet registered as enterprises.

II. Criteria for service Institutions

Service institutions must register on the innovation voucher platform and undergo a self-assessment. After a seven-day public notice period with no objections, they can join the platform.

They must also meet the following criteria:

1. Registered as a corporate or unincorporated entity in Shanghai.

2. Operated for more than two years with a fixed service location, a professional service team and service ability, clearly defined service content, service standards, and fee structures, along with a standard financial system.

3. Compliance with scientific integrity management requirements.

III. Voucher usage and support limits

Vouchers can be used for services such as research and development, technology transfer, business incubation, technology promotion, testing, tech finance, and intellectual property.

Services are categorized into six groups (A-F), with detailed listings available on the innovation voucher platform.

Annual usage limits: 300,000 yuan ($41,770) per enterprise and 100,000 yuan per team. Each order can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of the total order value.

IV. Process for voucher use

Step 1. Voucher distribution: Automatically granted to eligible enterprises and teams.

Step 2. Order placement: Enterprises/teams log into the innovation voucher platform, select service providers, service products, and reimbursement methods, and initiate orders.

Step 3. Verification: The platform verifies the voucher usage against the service list.

Step 4. Service completion: Services are completed offline between enterprises/teams and service providers.

Step 5. Documentation: Enterprises/teams or service providers upload necessary documentation for completed orders.

Step 6. Reimbursement: The platform verifies documents and, after a seven-day public notice period without objections, processes reimbursement.

V. Supervision and compliance

Fraudulent use or reimbursement, related party transactions, or subcontracting of services is prohibited. The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology may review service orders.

Enterprises, teams, and service institutions must cooperate with inspections. Non-compliance or fraudulent activities will result in denial of reimbursement or recovery of funds and may lead to inclusion in the city's technology discredit records. In serious cases, legal liability will be pursued.

VI. Official website and hotlines

For more information, please visit the official website of the innovation voucher platform at https://kjcxq.stcsm.sh.gov.cn, or contact the service hotlines at 400-178-0580 (for A, C and E categories) and 400-820-5114 (for B, D, and F categories).

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology

Note: The above content is for reference only. In case of any discrepancies, the Chinese version shall prevail.