The Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission has recently unveiled a supportive policy for the construction of major scientific research platforms in the city, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.
The policy will focus on supporting technology foresight, principle exploration, concept verification, key technology research, equipment R&D and engineering verification in the early stages of building major scientific research platforms, as well as the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and project management.
Major scientific research platforms include platforms related to major sci-tech infrastructure and frontier research.
The policy proposes to focus on the fields of information, materials and life science and technology, and predict key and disruptive technologies that will lead to future economic and social development in light of the foundation and needs of local industries.
In terms of system promotion technology research and equipment R&D, an eligible project will receive government funding of up to 200 million yuan (US$28.5 million), according to the policy.
In another development, the city will also subsidize the establishment of city-level key laboratories, according to the newspaper.
The city’s science, technology and innovation commission has released guidelines for the application of setting up such laboratories. Applicants can log onto https://sticapply.sz.gov.cn/ to apply online until Aug. 10.
According to the guidelines, the number of the newly built city-level key laboratories will be capped at 15 for 2021. Laboratories will be funded to carry out basic research and applied basic research, skilled talent training, industrial development and social development.
The laboratories should focus on such fields as new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, biomedicine, digital economy, new materials, new energy and marine economy.
The maximum government funding for the preparations of setting up a city-level key laboratory will be 5 million yuan, and the amount of funding for labs operated by firms will be no higher than 50 percent of the total project budget.
Applicants shall be institutions of higher learning, scientific research institutions or other legal entities with original innovation ability that have legally registered in Shenzhen and Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone.