Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 These Measures are formulated to implement the spirit of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Scientific and Technological Progress, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Promotion of the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements, the Sichuan Provincial Regulations on the Promotion of the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements, and the Decision of the CPC Luzhou Municipal Committee on Deepening the Implementation of the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy; to thoroughly implement the innovation-driven development strategy; to fully mobilize the enthusiasm and creativity of scientific and technological workers; to stimulate the vitality of innovation and creation throughout society; to promote the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements; and to advance the high-quality development of Luzhou.

Article 2 The People’s Government of Luzhou City hereby establishes the Luzhou City Science and Technology Innovation Award (hereinafter referred to as the “City Science and Technology Innovation Award”). The City Science and Technology Innovation Award comprises the City Science and Technology Innovation Outstanding Contribution Award and the City Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award.

Article 3 The Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award is conferred once every two years, with each cycle constituting a single term.

The Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Outstanding Contribution Award has no specific grade; no more than two recipients shall be selected per term, and the award may be left vacant.

The Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award is divided into three levels: First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize. In principle, the total number of awards per term shall not exceed 30.

Article 4 The work of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards shall implement the policy of respecting labor, knowledge, talent, and creativity. The nomination, evaluation, and awarding of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards shall follow the principles of openness, fairness, and impartiality, and shall not be subject to any unlawful interference by any organization or individual.

Article 5 The People’s Government of Luzhou City establishes the Luzhou City Science and Technology Innovation Awards Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Municipal Awards Committee), which is responsible for coordinating the work of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards. The composition of the Municipal Awards Committee is proposed by the municipal science and technology administrative department and submitted to the municipal government for approval.

The day-to-day operations of the Municipal Awards Committee shall be undertaken by the municipal science and technology administrative department.

Article 6 The Municipal Awards Committee shall appoint experts and scholars from relevant fields to form the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award Evaluation Committee and the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award Supervision Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Municipal Evaluation Committee and the Municipal Supervision Committee).

The Municipal Evaluation Committee is responsible for the evaluation of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards.

The Municipal Supervision Committee is responsible for supervising the nomination and evaluation of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards and for handling objections.

Article 7 The municipal science and technology administrative department is responsible for formulating relevant rules regarding the nomination, evaluation, and supervision of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards, as well as for the organization, support, and management of evaluation activities.

Article 8 Social entities are encouraged to establish science and technology innovation awards open to the public. When establishing such awards, social entities shall comply with laws, regulations, rules, and relevant national provisions; adhere to the principles of integrity, public interest, and transparency; and shall not charge any fees in connection with the award activities. The established awards shall not endanger national security or violate social morality and scientific ethics.

When establishing science and technology innovation awards, social entities shall establish a scientific, democratic, objective, and fair evaluation and award system.

The municipal science and technology administrative department is responsible for providing guidance, services, and supervision regarding science and technology innovation award activities conducted by social entities.

Article 9 These Measures apply to individuals and organizations engaged in scientific research, technological development, the transfer and transformation of achievements, and the promotion and application of such achievements within the administrative area of Luzhou City.

Chapter II Eligibility and Criteria

Article 10 The Municipal Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology Innovation shall be conferred upon individuals who meet any of the following criteria:

(1) Those who have achieved major scientific research accomplishments or significant academic achievements in the field of science and technology innovation in Luzhou City and have received high recognition from peers within the industry;

(2) Those who have made significant contributions to promoting scientific and technological innovation in industry, agriculture, and social undertakings, and to accelerating the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, thereby generating significant economic, social, ecological, or national defense and security benefits.

Candidates for the Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology Innovation Award must have worked continuously in Luzhou for no less than three years, be employed in Luzhou during the year of nomination, and possess undisputed independent intellectual property rights.

Article 11 The Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award shall be conferred upon individuals and organizations that meet any of the following criteria:

(1) In the implementation of technology development projects, having achieved major technological innovations, realized the transformation and industrialization of achievements, exerted a significant impact on technological progress in industries and sectors, and attained notable economic, social, ecological, or national defense and security benefits;

(2) In the implementation of public welfare projects, those who have made important contributions to fundamental scientific and technological work and public welfare scientific and technological undertakings, achieving significant social, ecological, environmental, or national defense and security benefits;

(3) In the implementation of major engineering projects, having achieved major scientific and technological innovations and successfully commercialized the results, thereby bringing engineering technologies or products to an internationally advanced or domestically leading level;

(4) Projects that have applied their own scientific and technological achievements, or have lawfully applied the scientific and technological achievements of other organizations or individuals, to the construction of the national economy and social development, thereby achieving significant economic, social, ecological, or national defense and security benefits;

(5) Achieving major accomplishments in the management and decision-making of scientific research, exerting a significant influence on government decision-making and economic and social development, and yielding significant social benefits;

(6) Making outstanding contributions to the popularization of scientific knowledge, the promotion of scientific methods, the dissemination of scientific ideas, and the promotion of the scientific spirit in science and technology outreach activities;

(7) In corporate technological innovation activities, by establishing and improving corporate technological innovation systems and carrying out technological innovation initiatives, significantly enhancing the enterprise’s technological innovation capabilities and generating substantial economic and social benefits;

(8) In the reform of ownership rights for scientific and technological achievements arising from official duties, those who have promoted the transformation and application of such achievements, thereby generating significant economic benefits.

Chapter III Nomination and Acceptance

Article 12 Nominations for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall be submitted by the following entities:

(1) District and county people’s governments, the Administrative Committee of the High-Tech Zone, the Administrative Committee of the Wine Industry Park, the Administrative Committee of the South Sichuan Lingang Area of the Pilot Free Trade Zone, and the Administrative Committee of the Chang’an Development Zone;

(2) Municipal-level departments;

(3) Units of the People’s Liberation Army (People’s Armed Police) stationed in Luzhou;

(4) Central and provincial government units stationed in Luzhou;

(5) Organizations and institutions that meet the eligibility criteria established by the municipal science and technology administrative department.

Article 13 The municipal science and technology administrative department shall, 60 days prior to the commencement of the evaluation process for each session of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award, publicly announce the rules and procedures for nomination and evaluation, clarify relevant matters such as the nomination period, methods, and material requirements for candidates of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award, and post such information on the website of the municipal science and technology administrative department.

Article 14 Nominating entities shall comply with the nomination rules and procedures, be responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the nomination materials, and assume corresponding responsibilities in the nomination, evaluation, and objection handling processes.

Article 15 Applications for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall be submitted using a standardized nomination form, which must be completed objectively and truthfully.

Applications for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall include formal scientific and technological novelty search reports, objective evaluation materials, authentic intellectual property materials, application support materials, and supporting documents such as relevant licenses required by laws and regulations.

Article 16: Any individual or entity that has previously received a Municipal or Higher-Level Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology Award or a Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology Innovation Award shall not be eligible for nomination as a candidate for the Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology Innovation Award.

Article 17: Scientific and technological achievements that have previously received a municipal-level or higher Science and Technology Award or a Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award may not be nominated again for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award; core technologies that have previously received a municipal-level or higher Science and Technology Award or a Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award may not be nominated again as core technological support for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award.

Article 18 Individuals who have engaged solely in organizational management or support services in scientific research or technology development projects shall not be nominated as candidates for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award.

People’s governments at all levels and their functional departments shall not be nominated as candidates for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award. Civil servants and personnel managed in accordance with the Civil Servant Law of the People’s Republic of China shall generally not be nominated as candidates for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award.

Article 19. An individual may be nominated as a candidate for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award as a contributor to only one scientific and technological innovation achievement in the same calendar year. Candidates and scientific and technological innovation achievements that were not awarded after evaluation may be renominated and resubmitted in accordance with prescribed procedures if they achieve new substantial progress in subsequent research and development activities; however, the number of nominations and submissions shall not exceed two.

Article 20 Persons falling under any of the following circumstances shall not be nominated as candidates for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award:

(1) Those who, pursuant to relevant laws and regulations, are under investigation and may be subject to restrictions on commendations and awards;

(2) Individuals who have been sentenced to criminal penalties or have received administrative penalties, Party disciplinary sanctions, or government disciplinary sanctions, and are legally restricted from receiving commendations or awards;

(3) Individuals listed in the database of serious breaches of scientific research integrity or social integrity who are currently within the disciplinary period.

Article 21. Scientific and technological innovation achievements shall not be nominated for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award if any of the following circumstances apply:

(1) Where disputes regarding intellectual property rights, the completing entity, or the completing individuals remain unresolved;

(2) Achievements that are required by law to obtain relevant administrative permits but have not done so;

(3) The scientific and technological innovation achievement has already been used in other municipal-level or higher science and technology awards.

Article 22 Nominees shall be publicly announced at the primary completing units and the employing units of the principal contributors of the scientific and technological innovation achievements; the nominating unit shall publicly announce the nominee’s basic information and the details of the achievement prior to nomination. The public announcement period shall be no less than 5 working days; nominations may only be submitted if no objections are raised during the announcement period or if objections are resolved and the relevant conditions are met.

Article 23 The municipal science and technology administrative department is responsible for conducting a formal review of the nomination materials. Those that meet the requirements shall be accepted, and the nominations shall be publicly announced on the department’s website for a period of no less than 10 working days.

Scientific and technological innovation achievements involving national defense or national security that are subject to confidentiality shall be publicly announced within an appropriate scope.

Chapter IV: Evaluation and Awarding

Article 24 The Municipal Awards Committee shall consist of 9 to 15 members. The Chairperson shall be the Vice Mayor of the Municipal Government in charge of science and technology, and there shall be 2 to 3 Vice Chairpersons. Members shall consist of experts and scholars in relevant fields, as well as heads of relevant departments.

The Municipal Awards Committee is established for each term of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards; upon the formation of a new term, the previous Municipal Awards Committee is automatically dissolved.

Article 25 The primary responsibilities of the Municipal Awards Committee are as follows:

(1) To review the evaluation results of the Municipal Evaluation Committee;

(2) To supervise the nomination, evaluation, and handling of objections regarding the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award;

(3) To propose policy recommendations and suggestions for improving the municipal science and technology innovation award program;

(4) Coordinate the resolution of major issues arising during the evaluation process of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award.

Article 26 The Municipal Evaluation Committee shall consist of 9 to 15 members. It shall have one Chairperson and two to three Vice-Chairpersons. Members shall be composed of experts and scholars in relevant fields, as well as heads of relevant departments.

The Municipal Review Committee is established for each term of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award; upon the formation of a new term, the previous Municipal Review Committee is automatically dissolved.

Article 27 The primary responsibilities of the Municipal Review Committee are as follows:

(1) To review and determine the list of nominees for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award based on the evaluation opinions of the professional review panels;

(2) To address any issues arising during the evaluation process;

(3) To provide advisory opinions on improving the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award program.

Article 28 The Municipal Supervisory Committee shall consist of 5 to 7 members, including one Chairperson and one Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be served by the Vice Chairperson of the Awards Committee. Members shall be composed of experts and scholars in fields such as science and technology, intellectual property, law, and policy research.

Article 29 Main Responsibilities of the Municipal Supervisory Committee:

(1) To supervise the nomination and evaluation processes for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards;

(2) To review and approve the results of the handling of objections regarding the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards;

(3) To report on supervision activities to the Municipal Awards Committee;

(4) To offer opinions and suggestions regarding the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards program.

Article 30 The Municipal Evaluation Committee shall establish specialized evaluation panels, each consisting of 7 to 11 members. In principle, each panel shall have one chairperson and one to two vice-chairpersons. Members shall be randomly selected from the expert database by the municipal science and technology administrative department based on the technical fields of the achievements submitted in the current year, and the department shall designate the chairperson and vice-chairpersons.

To ensure the objectivity and fairness of the evaluation for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award, the municipal science and technology administrative department shall invite a certain proportion of experts from outside the city to participate in the specialized review groups. In principle, the group leader of a specialized review group shall be an expert from outside the city, and the deputy group leader shall be an expert from within the city.

In principle, only one evaluation expert from the same institution may serve on the same specialized evaluation panel; evaluation experts for classified achievements must be personnel authorized to handle classified information.

Article 31 Main Responsibilities of the Professional Review Panel:

(1) To be responsible for revising the scope and criteria of evaluation for the professional review panel;

(2) Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the scientific and technological innovation achievements within the group in accordance with the evaluation criteria, propose candidates for awards and recommended award levels, and report the preliminary evaluation results to the Municipal Evaluation Committee;

(3) Investigate and verify scientific and technological innovation achievements within the panel that are found to have issues, propose recommendations for handling such cases, and submit them to the Municipal Review Committee for deliberation;

(4) Provide advisory opinions on improving the municipal science and technology innovation award program.

Article 32. Meetings of the Municipal Awards Committee and the Municipal Review Committee to deliberate on major matters shall be valid only if two-thirds or more of the members are present.

Article 33 Specialized review panels shall conduct on-site evaluations and scoring for the Municipal Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scientific and Technological Innovation and the Municipal Award for Scientific and Technological Innovation Achievements through meetings. When calculating scores, the highest and lowest scores shall be discarded, and the average shall be taken; in principle, the list of nominees shall be ranked and recommended based on score.

Article 34. The Municipal Evaluation Committee shall review the preliminary evaluation results of the professional evaluation panels through meetings. Committee members shall vote by secret ballot to determine the list of nominees for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards. In principle, the list of nominees shall be determined by ranking based on the number of votes received.The Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology Innovation Award and the First Prize of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award shall be approved by a vote of two-thirds or more of the attending committee members. The Second and Third Prizes of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award shall be approved by a vote of one-half or more of the attending committee members.

Article 35 A recusal system shall be implemented for the evaluation of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards. Evaluation experts shall recuse themselves in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) Any expert who is a nominee for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall not participate in the evaluation for that year;

(2) If an expert has a conflict of interest with a candidate for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award that may affect the fairness of the evaluation, they shall not participate in the evaluation of achievements related to that candidate;

(3) Experts from the same institution as a nominee shall not participate in the evaluation of that institution’s scientific and technological innovation achievements;

(4) Other circumstances requiring recusal.

Evaluation experts who fall under any of the recusal circumstances shall proactively apply for recusal to the municipal science and technology administrative department. Nominating units and nominees who believe that the participation of a relevant expert in the evaluation process may affect its fairness may apply to the municipal science and technology administrative department for the recusal of that expert and provide a justification.

Article 36 Members of the Municipal Review Committee and its specialized review panels, as well as relevant staff, shall strictly maintain confidentiality regarding the technical content of candidates’ scientific and technological innovation achievements and the details of the review process. They shall not disclose review details, technical secrets, or plagiarize technical achievements in any manner.

Article 37. The municipal science and technology administrative department shall organize an investigation and verification of the nominees for the Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Scientific and Technological Innovation Award and the first-class achievements nominated for the Municipal Scientific and Technological Innovation Achievement Award, as determined by the Municipal Review Committee.

During the inspection and verification process, if it is found that a nominee for the Municipal Outstanding Contribution to Scientific and Technological Innovation Award exhibits circumstances or issues rendering them unsuitable for the award, the findings shall be reported to the Municipal Awards Committee, and the nominee’s eligibility for the award shall be revoked; the corresponding award slot shall not be retained or filled by a replacement.

If, during the investigation and verification process, it is found that a proposed achievement for the First Prize of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award has circumstances or issues rendering it unsuitable for the award, the findings shall be reported to the Municipal Awards Committee, and the award eligibility shall be revoked; the First Prize quota shall not be retained or filled by a replacement.

During the review and verification process, if it is found that a proposed achievement for the First Prize of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award meets the award criteria but is not suitable for the First Prize, the findings shall be reported to the Municipal Awards Committee, and the achievement’s eligibility for the First Prize shall be revoked. The Municipal Awards Committee shall determine the award level for the achievement, and the level determined by this decision shall not be subject to the original quota. The First Prize quota shall not be reserved or supplemented.

Article 38: The nominees for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Outstanding Contribution Award and the proposed award-winning achievements for the Municipal Innovation Achievement Award, as determined by the Municipal Review Committee, shall be publicly announced on the official website of the municipal science and technology administrative department. The public announcement period shall be 10 working days.

Achievements involving national defense or national security that are subject to confidentiality shall be publicly announced in an appropriate manner and within an appropriate scope.

Any unit or individual with objections must submit them in writing under their real name to the municipal science and technology administrative department, along with necessary supporting materials. Anonymous objections will not be accepted.

Article 39: If, following investigation and verification, a proposed recipient or achievement for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award that was subject to objections during the public notice period is found to be ineligible for the award, the matter shall be reported to the Municipal Awards Committee, and the recipient’s eligibility shall be revoked; the corresponding award slot shall not be retained or filled by a replacement.

Article 40. In principle, nominees and achievements that have been publicly announced may not renounce their eligibility for the award. If a nominee wishes to renounce their eligibility, the nominating unit must submit a written application to the municipal science and technology administrative department. If the renunciation is approved, the vacancy resulting from the renunciation shall not be reserved or filled by a replacement.

Article 41. The Municipal Awards Committee shall convene a meeting to review the evaluation results of the Municipal Evaluation Committee and, based on the public notice and the verification conducted by the municipal science and technology administrative department, shall deliberate and determine the final award recipients.

Article 42. The municipal science and technology administrative department shall submit the list of recipients for the Municipal Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scientific and Technological Innovation and the list of achievements for the Municipal Award for Scientific and Technological Innovation, as determined by the Municipal Awards Committee, to the Municipal People’s Government for approval.

Article 43. The Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards shall be conferred by the Municipal People’s Government, which shall issue certificates of award.

Article 44: The achievements of recipients of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall be recorded in their personal files and serve as an important basis for performance evaluations, professional title reviews, and appointments to positions or roles.

Support shall be provided to the scientific and technological innovation activities conducted by the organizations and individuals awarded the Municipal Scientific and Technological Innovation Award in terms of policy, projects, talent, platforms, and other essential resources.

Chapter V: Supervision and Safeguards

Article 45. Any organization or individual that has objections to the candidates or the results of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award evaluation may file an objection with the municipal science and technology administrative department during the public notice period; objections submitted after this period will not be accepted.

Objections must be submitted in writing, stating the objector’s true identity, providing valid contact information, and including necessary evidence to support the objection. Objections submitted in an individual’s name must include the objector’s real name, organization, and contact information on the objection materials, along with a copy of their ID card. Objections submitted in the name of an organization must bear the organization’s official seal. After investigating and verifying the objection, the municipal science and technology administrative department shall submit its proposed disposition to the Municipal Supervision Committee for approval.

The identity of the objector shall be kept confidential; if disclosure is indeed necessary, the objector’s consent must be sought in advance.

Article 46. Objections to candidates for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall not affect the evaluation process, unless the Municipal Evaluation Committee or the Municipal Supervision Committee deems it necessary to suspend the evaluation and review. If an objection is found to be valid following investigation and verification, and the candidate is currently in the evaluation process, the candidate’s eligibility for the award shall be terminated; if the candidate has already received the award, the award shall be revoked and the certificate of award retrieved upon approval by the municipal government.

Article 47: Publicity regarding achievements awarded the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award shall be objective and accurate; it shall not mislead the public through exaggerated, false, or ambiguous claims. It is prohibited to represent goods or services in commercial advertisements as nominees or winners of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award.

It is prohibited to use information related to the nomination and evaluation of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards for any profit-making activities, including marketing, intermediary services, or agency services.

Article 48. The Municipal Supervision Committee shall fully exercise its supervisory duties and clarify the disciplinary requirements that all parties involved in the award activities—including nominating entities, nominees, evaluation experts, and organizers—must adhere to. The Municipal Supervision Committee shall oversee the entire evaluation process.

Chapter VI Legal Liability

Article 49. For acts in violation of these Measures, where laws or regulations have already established provisions, such provisions shall apply.

Article 50. If a nominee plagiarizes or appropriates another person’s scientific and technological achievements, or obtains a Science and Technology Innovation Award through other improper means, their eligibility for that year’s awards shall be revoked; if the award has already been granted, the municipal science and technology administrative department shall, upon approval by the municipal government, revoke the award, retrieve the certificate, and include the incident in the scientific research integrity record; in serious cases, the nominee shall be disqualified from being nominated for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award for a specified period or for life.

Article 51: If a nominating entity fails to conduct a rigorous review during the nomination process, thereby affecting the evaluation results, the municipal science and technology administrative department shall suspend its nomination eligibility for a period of 1 to 3 years.

If a nominating entity provides false data or materials, or assists others in fraudulently obtaining a Science and Technology Innovation Award, and the circumstances are serious, its nomination eligibility shall be suspended or revoked; the directly responsible supervisors and other directly responsible personnel shall be dealt with by their employing unit or competent authority in accordance with relevant regulations, and the incident shall be recorded in the research integrity records.

Article 52. If experts participating in the evaluation of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award violate academic ethics, the Code of Conduct for Evaluators, or relevant regulations during the evaluation process, the municipal science and technology administrative department shall, depending on the circumstances, order them to rectify the violation, suspend or revoke their qualification as evaluation experts, and include the incident in their research integrity records.

Article 53. If a third-party institution issues false reports—including analysis and testing, novelty searches, evaluations, or audits—regarding scientific and technological innovation achievements submitted for the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Award, the acceptance of such reports shall be suspended, and the relevant industry supervisory and administrative departments shall handle the matter in accordance with the law; such incidents shall be recorded in the research integrity records.

Article 54. Personnel involved in the organizational work of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Awards who engage in misconduct such as abuse of power, dereliction of duty, fabrication, or favoritism during the evaluation process shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law; if such acts constitute a crime, the case shall be transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution in accordance with the law.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 55. The People’s Government of Luzhou City shall be responsible for interpreting these Measures.

Article 56. These Measures shall come into effect on October 12, 2023, and shall remain valid for five years.