Original Title: Policy Interpretation of the "Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the R&D Services Industry in Putuo District"
1. Why were the Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the R&D Services Industry formulated?
To implement the guiding principles of documents such as the "Opinions of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Accelerating the Construction of a Globally Influential Science and Technology Innovation Center," the "Implementation Opinions of Putuo District on Supporting Science and Technology Innovation," and the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Software and R&D Services Industry in Putuo District," to advance the requirements for expanding and strengthening key industries, to proactively seize opportunities for the development of the R&D services industry, to fully align with the urban development spatial layout of "One Belt, One Core, and One City," and to accelerate the high-quality development of the R&D services industry in Putuo District.
2. What is the basis for formulating the Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the R&D Services Industry?
The policy basis includes the "Opinions of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Accelerating the Construction of a Globally Influential Science and Technology Innovation Center" (Hu Wei Fa [2015] No. 7), the "Implementation Opinions of Putuo District on Supporting Science and Technology Innovation" (Pu Ke He Gui Fan [2020] No. 2), and the "Putuo District ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ for the Development of the Intelligent Software and R&D Services Industry."
3. Where does the funding to support the development of the R&D services industry come from?
The development of the R&D services industry is supported through direct grants from the Putuo District Science and Technology Development Special Fund.
4. How can one apply for funding to support the development of the R&D services industry?
Project applicants may submit applications in accordance with the relevant project application guidelines for supporting the R&D service industry compiled annually by the District Science and Technology Commission. The District Science and Technology Commission will organize relevant experts or select qualified third-party institutions to evaluate the projects and determine the funded projects.
5. What are the key areas for supporting the development of the R&D service industry?
The support targets various innovation entities across industry, academia, research, and application sectors. It focuses on the entire innovation chain—from R&D to industrial application—to facilitate the deep integration of science and technology with the economy and promote the transformation of innovation factors and resources into actual productive capacity.This primarily covers scientific research and technical services (including research and experimental development, professional technical services, science and technology promotion and application services, water resources management, ecological protection and environmental governance, public facility management, and land management), research institutions (including the China Architecture Design & Research Group Shanghai Institute and the Shanghai Survey and Mapping Institute), and related professional services (including legal services).
6. What are the objectives of supporting the development of the R&D services industry?
To intensify efforts to attract and cultivate major projects in the R&D service industry characterized by scientific and industrial R&D, and to accelerate the clustering and development of upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain in Putuo.
7. What is the scope of support under the R&D service industry development policy?
The policy consists of 10 provisions and applies to enterprises and institutions in the R&D services sector that are registered with the Putuo District industrial and commercial tax authorities, possess independent legal person status, have a good credit record, and align with the regional industrial orientation.
8. What forms of support does the R&D service industry development policy provide?
Support is primarily provided in the form of financial assistance.
9. What support is available for newly introduced enterprises in the R&D services sector?
For enterprises that play a significant role in driving and supporting regional industrial development and whose regional contributions reach a certain scale, upon approval, a startup grant of up to 5 million yuan will be provided, disbursed in installments.For newly introduced enterprises in the R&D services sector that make a significant contribution to the region, support will be provided based on the actual leased area used for self-use: up to 50% of the rent in the first year, and up to 30% of the rent in the second and third years. The annual subsidy amount shall not exceed 1 million yuan, and the support period shall not exceed three years.For newly introduced enterprises that purchase office space for their own use within the district, a subsidy of 1.5% of the purchase price will be provided, with a total amount not exceeding 3 million yuan, to be disbursed over three years. Rental and purchase subsidies cannot be claimed concurrently.
10. What are the support standards for leading enterprises establishing R&D institutions?
For Fortune 500 companies, renowned domestic and international research institutions, and leading domestic and international enterprises that register and establish various R&D institutions within the district, commence operations, and drive industrial clustering in related fields, a one-time grant of up to 5 million yuan will be provided upon approval.
11. What support is available for enterprises engaging in industry-academia-research collaboration?
For enterprises that independently or in collaboration with universities, research institutes, or functional platforms carry out industry-academia-research cooperation and implement industrialization projects, upon approval, support of up to 3 million yuan will be provided, limited to 30% of the total self-raised funds invested in the project.
12. What support is available for enterprises to increase R&D investment and accelerate the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements?
For technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the district whose annual R&D expenditure increases by 1 million yuan or more year-over-year, upon verification, a one-time grant of up to 500,000 yuan will be provided, with a cumulative limit of three grants per enterprise. For enterprises participating in national, municipal, or district-level innovation challenge competitions and successfully securing projects to implement relevant technological needs and application scenarios within the district, upon verification, a one-time grant of up to 2 million yuan will be provided, calculated at a rate of up to 10% of the actual transaction value.
13. What support is available for professional R&D service agencies?
Professional R&D service institutions within the district that provide services such as technology transfer, scientific and technological consulting, achievement identification, value assessment, achievement matching, and technology transactions to enterprises will, upon approval, receive an annual subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan based on service performance. For newly introduced operational entities in the R&D service industry—such as industry associations, enterprise alliances, and talent training bases—that demonstrate an industrial driving and exemplary effect and promote cluster development, a subsidy of up to 1 million yuan will be granted upon approval.
14. What support is available for the exhibition of corporate R&D achievements?
Enterprises or venues within the district that lease space to host centralized exhibitions showcasing their independently developed R&D achievements may, upon approval, receive support of up to 2 million yuan, covering up to 50% of actual expenses such as venue rent and exhibition design costs.
15. What incentives are available for enterprises organizing or participating in exhibitions and events?
For enterprises that host or organize summits, forums, exhibitions, or expositions with significant influence in relevant fields, which demonstrate a leading and exemplary effect and promote regional industrial clustering, upon approval, funding of up to 50% of the total investment, not exceeding 1 million yuan, may be provided.For participation in influential industry-related summits, forums, exhibitions, and similar events, upon approval, participating entities will receive funding of up to 50% of the actual expenses incurred for registration fees, booth fees, and setup costs per event, with a maximum of 200,000 yuan.
16. What support is available for the implementation of major special projects or scientific and technological achievements?
Enterprises (or institutions) undertaking major national or municipal-level science and technology projects, as well as major scientific and technological achievements in key areas of strategic emerging industries that possess independent intellectual property rights, have strong market prospects, and are at the international leading or domestic first-class level—when such achievements are transferred and industrialized within the district—may, upon approval, receive “case-by-case” special support.
17. How will these implementation guidelines be administered?
The District Science and Technology Commission will formulate implementation procedures and detailed rules based on these guidelines, and will be responsible for project review, monitoring, and evaluation.Investment promotion centers in each key area are responsible for providing services such as accepting applications for support projects and conducting formal reviews. After the District Science and Technology Commission completes the project review, these centers will respond to the applicant entities and cooperate with the District Science and Technology Commission to ensure effective project management services. The District Finance Bureau is responsible for preparing the special fund budget for implementing these guidelines in the following year, executing the disbursement of relevant support funds in accordance with procedures, and, in collaboration with the audit department, supervising and managing the use of special funds throughout the project process.
18. What are the restrictions on eligible entities?
First, the total amount of various rewards, grants, and other support funds received by beneficiaries from this district shall, in principle, be limited to the regional contribution achieved during the policy support period. For enterprises that have been operating in this district for more than three years and are applying for project funds under this Opinion, their contribution to the region shall serve as a reference for support. Second, enterprises or institutions applying for support under this Opinion will undergo a credit review; those with serious acts of dishonesty or illegal conduct within the past three years will have their application eligibility revoked.If enterprises or institutions receiving support under this document are found to have engaged in fraud or misappropriated support funds, all eligibility for support will be immediately revoked, funds will be recovered, legal liability will be pursued, and the entities will be included in the municipal and district public credit information platforms in accordance with relevant municipal regulations.
19. When does this Implementation Opinion expire?
These Implementation Guidelines shall take effect on November 1, 2021, and remain valid until December 31, 2024.
