2025 STCSM Soft Science Research Project: High-level Institution Construction and Operation Plan
2025年度高水平机构建设运行计划“软科学研究”项目
March 18, 2025
Sponsor: Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM)
About: In order to implement the innovation-driven development strategy in depth and accelerate the construction of a science and technology innovation center with global influence, the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission has specially issued the application guidelines for the "Soft Science Research" project of the 2025 High-level Institution Construction and Operation Plan.
Project Areas:
Area 1: Key Projects (Titles Cannot Be Modified, but Subtitles May Be Added)
Project Period: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Funding Amount: Fixed funding of RMB 200,000 per project
Direction 1: Strengthening Innovation Sources to Enhance Fundamental Supply and Strategic Layout
Topics (full details can be found in Attachment):
- Research on the Connotation, Identification, and Strategic Layout of High-Risk, High-Value Fundamental Research in Shanghai
- Mechanisms and Policy Research on Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Investment in Fundamental Research
- Analysis of Future Industry Development Trends and Strategic Layout for Shanghai
- Research on Ethical Issues and Governance Mechanisms in Emerging Frontier Technologies
- International Patent Layout and Technical Standards in Emerging Technologies: Status and Strategy for Shanghai
Direction 2: Deepening Reforms to Enhance Innovation System Efficiency
Topics (full details can be found in Attachment):
- Research on Talent Development and Institutional Reform in Shanghai’s Science and Technology Institutions
- Optimization of Policies Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Science and Technology Talent in Shanghai
- Strategies for Enhancing the Innovation Density in Key Areas of Shanghai
- Optimizing Shanghai’s Spatial Layout for Technological Innovation in the Context of Urban Renewal
- Strategies for Advancing the Internationalization of Shanghai’s Technology Enterprises
- Strategies for Advancing High-Level International Science and Technology Cooperation through Institutional Opening-Up
- Strategies for Enhancing Innovation Density in Key Areas of Shanghai
- Optimizing Shanghai’s Innovation Space Layout in the Context of Urban Renewal
- Business Models and Mechanisms for Market-Driven Proof-of-Concept Centers in Shanghai
- Growth Pathways, Gradient Development Mechanisms, and Policy Toolkit for Leading Tech Enterprises
- Strategies for Optimizing the Development Ecosystem of Shanghai’s Private Tech Enterprises
- Comparative Study on Unicorn Enterprise Development and Strategies for Shanghai
- Strategies for Enhancing the Internationalization of Shanghai’s Tech Enterprises
- Promoting Deeper Integration of Foreign Enterprises into Shanghai’s Science and Technology Innovation Ecosystem
- Establishing a High-Level “Technology–Industry–Finance” Circular Ecosystem in Shanghai
- Integration of the Biopharmaceutical Innovation and Industrial Chains in the Yangtze River Delta
- Country-Specific Strategies for Shanghai in the Context of Building a Global Open Innovation Network
Direction 3: Building a World-Class Ecosystem and Enhancing the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Environment
Topics (full details can be found in Attachment):
Area 2: Independent Research Projects
Project Period: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Funding Amount: Fixed funding of RMB 100,000 per project
Direction 1: Research on Science and Technology Innovation Development Strategies, Plans, and Policies
Topics (full details can be found in Attachment):
1. Research Series on Shanghai’s Science and Technology Innovation Development Plan and Mid-to-Long-Term Strategy for the "15th Five-Year Plan" Period
2. Research Series on Deepening the Reform of Shanghai’s Science and Technology System and Mechanisms
Direction 2: Research on Frontier Development Trends, Disruptive Technology Foresight, Innovation Ecosystems, and Case Studies
Topics (full details can be found in Attachment):
1. Case Study on the Integrated Circuit Industry
2. Case Study on the Biopharmaceutical Industry
3. Case Study on the Artificial Intelligence Industry
4. Case Study on Quantum Technology
5. Case Study on Next-Generation Information Technology
6. Case Study on Life Sciences and Biotechnology
7. Case Study on the Aerospace Industry
8. Case Study on Marine Technology
9. Case Study on Future Energy Technologies
10. Case Study on Advanced Materials
Area 3: Youth Projects
Project Period: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026.
Funding Amount: Fixed funding of 100,000 RMB per project.
Research Objective: Encourage young researchers in soft science to independently select research topics addressing key, emerging, and challenging issues related to Shanghai’s development as an international technology innovation hub. The chosen topics must not overlap with those in Area 1.
Eligibility Requirement: Applicants must be under 35 years old (born on or after January 1, 1990).
Application Requirements
- For new projects proposed by applicants based on previous projects funded by municipal financial funds or other institutions (such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation, etc.), the similarities and differences, and the inheritance and development relationship between the two should be clearly explained.
- Those who have been responsible for two or more ongoing projects under the Municipal Science and Technology Commission’s science and technology plan as project leaders are not allowed to apply as project leaders.
- Each applicant can only apply for one item.
- Soft science research should adhere to the major needs of national and Shanghai scientific and technological strategic decision-making, highlight the timeliness and effectiveness of research results in serving government decision-making, focus on in-depth investigation and research, pay attention to data and case analysis, and put forward practical and operational policy recommendations.
For more requirements, please refer to the official guideline.
Important Dates:
| DATES (Shanghai Time) | TO BE COMPLETED |
|---|---|
| By March 25, 2025 | Faculty who intend to apply should notify Research Grants Office by email at shanghai.researchgrants@nyu.edu. |
| By April 7, 2025 | Please send your application to us for institutional review. |
| By April 11, 2025 | Finalize and submit your application through the STCSM online system. |