Shanghai will establish a pilot program to bring together local universities and scientific basic research institutes to accelerate the city's development into a world-class science and technology center, according to a guideline released by the municipal government on Tuesday.
According to Zhu Qigao, deputy director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, universities and research institutes included in the program will be provided with funding from the government every five years and be given full autonomy to choose research topics, conduct scientific research, and use the funds.
The city will also launch an "Explorer Program" to help enterprises and the government jointly establish scientific research plans, donate to or set up foundations, and cooperate with the National Natural Science Foundation of China in establishing regional innovation and development joint funds.
In addition, the city will cultivate young and middle-aged talent in scientific and technological research for high-level innovation and foster interdisciplinary research.
Furthermore, international exchanges in the basic research field will be fostered in the city.
The guideline also states that the government will work on a scientific and technological evaluation system and a funding management system based on trust and integrity to give scientific researchers greater autonomy in the use of funds.