Original Title: Notice of the General Office of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government on Issuing Several Policies to Accelerate the Construction of the National New-Generation Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development Pilot Zone and Promote High-Quality Industrial Development
I. Support for Industrial Technology R&D. Enterprises are encouraged to collaborate with universities, research institutes, and national high-tech enterprises through a “challenge-based” approach to tackle “bottleneck” technologies and critical common technological shortcomings in the industrial chain. A subsidy of up to 5 million yuan will be provided, equivalent to 50% of the project’s challenge prize amount.
II. Support for the Promotion and Application of Independent Innovation Products. For AI “new technologies, new products, and new business models,” as well as “first-of-a-kind major technical equipment, first-batch new materials, and first-version software” that can be procured independently, single-source procurement may be adopted if they meet relevant regulations.
III. Support for Attracting and Cultivating Leading Enterprises. For domestic top 100 AI enterprises or unicorn enterprises that register their headquarters in our city and establish regional headquarters or R&D centers here, those newly registered in the previous year with paid-in capital of 20 million yuan or more will receive a subsidy equivalent to 20% of their annual R&D expenses for the first, second, and third years following their establishment in our city, with a maximum total subsidy of 10 million yuan per enterprise.For enterprises newly ranked among the top 100 domestic AI enterprises or designated as unicorns, those meeting the conditions for additional tax deductions and with R&D expenses accounting for 10% or more of operating revenue will receive a subsidy equivalent to 10% of their R&D expenses, with an annual subsidy cap of 5 million yuan per enterprise. Projects meeting the relevant criteria outlined in the “Hefei Guidelines for the Recognition of Major Investment Projects” may apply for policy support under the major investment project program.
IV. Support for the Development of Industrial Platforms. Support will be provided for the development of industrial platforms such as AI industrial parks and technology enterprise incubators. A one-time reward of 1 million yuan will be granted to platforms where the total number of resident (or incubated) enterprises reaches 20 or more and AI enterprises account for 60% or more of the total.Newly recognized national, provincial, and municipal-level specialized AI technology business incubators will receive subsidies of 2 million yuan, 1 million yuan, and 500,000 yuan, respectively, with a cumulative maximum subsidy of 2 million yuan per incubator. For the above two policies, only the higher amount may be claimed in a given year, and benefits cannot be duplicated.
V. Support for the Development of Innovation Service Platforms. Newly designated National New Generation Artificial Intelligence Open Innovation Platforms will receive a one-time reward of 10 million yuan. Support will be provided for the development of public service platforms for AI computing power and data storage. Subsidies will be granted to both platform service providers and users at a rate of 15% of actual service revenue and fees paid, respectively. The annual subsidy for a single platform service provider shall not exceed 3 million yuan, and the annual subsidy for a single platform user shall not exceed 500,000 yuan.
VI. Support for the Establishment of Investment Funds. The municipal government will guide parent funds to selectively invest in and support well-known fund management institutions, leading enterprises in the industrial chain, and key R&D institutions, among others, to establish special funds focused on the AI industrial chain. These funds will aggregate investment in industrial chain resources and enterprise projects to promote the expansion and development of the industrial chain. Various types of social venture capital and private equity funds are encouraged to invest in AI projects in Hefei.
VII. Support for Ecosystem Development. Strengthen statistical work regarding Hefei’s artificial intelligence industrial chain. Support social organizations such as chambers of commerce, associations, and alliances in hosting conferences, forums, and competitions in the field of artificial intelligence at the national, provincial, and municipal levels that have significant influence; provide subsidies of up to 1 million yuan, covering 50% of actual expenses.Social organizations such as AI chambers of commerce, associations, and alliances are encouraged to assist the government in drafting industry standards, plans, and industrial development reports; organizing resource-matching activities; and carrying out “dual recruitment and dual attraction” initiatives. Support will be provided through government procurement of services. Support will also be provided for the conduct of AI social trials.
This policy shall take effect on August 15, 2022, and remain valid for two years. The Municipal Science and Technology Bureau is responsible for its interpretation. Support under this policy shall not overlap with other municipal-level policies. Should relevant policy provisions be adjusted during the implementation period, such adjustments shall prevail.
