2026 STCSM International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program

2026 STCSM International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program
上海市2026年度创新生态计划“国际科技合作”项目

May 11, 2026

The official announcement in Chinese

Sponsor: 

Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM)

About: 

The 2026 International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program is now open for application. This year, there are THREE targeted funding topics. For more details, please refer to the STCSM website for the official announcement in Chinese.

Topics and Sub-areas:

Topic 1: International Collaboration Research – Key Program

• Objective: The program aims to leverage the strong research capacity and international partnerships of local institutions to support high-level international collaborative research, cultivate international scientific organizations and talent, organize influential academic conferences, and enhance China’s global influence in related fields.
• Areas: Next-generation information technology, life sciences, climate change, and major scientific facilities
• Period: 8/1/2026-7/31/2029
• Funding: to support no more than one project each area, up to RMB3,000,000 per project. At least 30% of the funding should be used for international collaboration and exchange activities.

Topic 2: Inter-governmental (-institutional) Cooperation Projects 
To fund no more than 50 projects, up to 700,000 RMB per project.

• Objective: Support joint research with high-level foreign universities, research institutes, technology companies and technology organizations, further strengthen academic cooperation and promote win-win development.
• Areas: No restrictions on areas. Following areas will be prioritized: Intelligent robotics, silicon photonics, sixth-generation mobile communications (6G), functional foods, innovative drugs, and green fuels.
• Priority support for cooperation countries: No restrictions on the partner countries. Following countries or regions will be prioritized: Spain, Finland, Hungary, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Baden-Württemberg (Germany), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Queensland (Australia), Dunedin (New Zealand), and Gothenburg (Sweden).
• Period: 8/1/2026-7/31/2029

Topic 3: Collaborative Innovation with Foreign-funded R&D Institutions

Direction 1: Development of Collaborative Innovation Platform

• Objective: Supports foreign-funded R&D institutions in Shanghai to jointly establish collaborative innovation platforms, such as joint laboratories, with local universities and research institutes. These platforms are encouraged to focus on key areas and carry out joint talent training, international conferences, collaborative research, technology development, and commercialization of research outcomes.
• Areas:  Biomedicine, next-generation information technology, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and advanced materials.
• Period: 8/1/2026-7/31/2029
• Funding: up to 3 projects will be supported. The sponsor will provide up to RMB 2,000,000 per project.
• Application: the applying institution should be foreign-invested enterprises with R&D functions, and their global headquarters must be located outside China. Projects should be led by the company, in collaboration with local universities, research institutions and/or companies. 

Direction 2: Joint Research Projects

• Objective: To encourage foreign-funded R&D institutions to conduct joint research and development with local universities, research institutes, and enterprises in Shanghai. Through the sharing of facilities, research space, technical expertise, funding, data, and other innovation resources, the program aims to generate high-quality research outcomes and promote their commercialization and application in Shanghai.
• Area: Biomedicine, next-generation information technology, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and advanced materials.
• Period: 8/1/2026-7/31/2029
• Funding: up to 15 projects will be supported. The sponsor will provide up to RMB 1,000,000 per project.
• Application: the applying institution should be foreign-invested enterprises with R&D functions, and their global headquarters must be located outside China. Projects should be led by the company, in collaboration with local universities, research institutions and/or companies. 
   

Application Eligibility:

• If applicants are proposing new projects based on a previous project funded by municipal financial resources or other organizations (e.g., the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, etc.), the similarities and differences between the previous and the current projects, as well as their inheritance and development relationship should be clearly elaborated.
• Applicants who are leading TWO or more STCSM projects are not eligible for this program (Projects under the topic "Belt and Road" International Science and Technology Cooperation are not subject to this restriction).

Please refer to the official announcement for more eligibility information.

Important Dates: