To follow through on the guiding principles set forth by the 20th CPC National Congress, accelerate the fostering of a center of global talents and a strategic highland of innovation, and build Ningbo into an optimal destination for high-level talents, a source of innovation and a cluster of industries, the 2024 Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme is hereby announced as a major initiative to attract more talents from across the world. Details of the Programme are as follows:

I. Application & Appraisal Schedule

The 2024 Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme is open to application as of the release of this Notice to September 15, 2024. Official appraisal will be conducted in two batches. Those who apply before April 16, 2024 will be appraised in the first batch, while those applying from April 16, 2024 to September 15, 2024 will be appraised in the second batch.

II. Preferred Qualifications & Priority Fields  

To prop up high-quality socioeconomic development of Ningbo, the 2024 Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme will give preference to those high-level talents/teams that can meet local industrial demands, pioneer industrial upgrading and contribute to further industrial progress in Ningbo.

This Programme aims to attract talents/teams in the fields of S&T innovation and urban economy. Specifically, in the field of S&T innovation, with a focus on advancing the “361” Industrial Development Plan, we will mainly introduce talents for such key industries as digital economy, green petrochemicals, high-end equipment, new functional materials, new energy, key basic components, and modern health, as well as such emerging & future industries as cutting-edge new materials, future intelligence, aeronautics & astronautics technology, future marine industry, quantum science, etc.; in the field of urban economy, we will mainly introduce talents for such sectors as e-commerce, port & shipping logistics, finance & insurance, culture, education, health & sports, professional services, urban planning & design, fashion & creativity, S&T services, modern agriculture, etc.

Under equal conditions, we will give preference to the talents/teams with the following qualifications:

those who are eligible for provincial/national talent programmes;

those who have received policy support from the districts/counties (county-level cities) and development zones in Ningbo;

those who have received investment from professional investment institutions;

those who have settled in Ningbo with full-time jobs;

and those who are in charge of municipal/provincial/national key projects.

III. Projects & Eligibility

The 2024 Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme consists of three main projects: the project for entrepreneurial & innovative talents; the project for entrepreneurial & innovative teams; and the project for entrepreneurial teams with capital investment.

(I) Project for Entrepreneurial & Innovative Talents

This Project includes three sub-projects for innovative talents, entrepreneurial talents and youth talents respectively. The specifics are as follows:

1. Sub-project for Innovative Talents

(1) Applicants in the S&T innovation field should have obtained the doctorate and have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience (at least 3 years as of April 15, 2024 for applicants in the first batch; at least 3 years as of September 15, 2024 for those in the second batch, the same below), or have strong industrial influence. The upper age limit is 60 years old (born after January 1, 1964, the same below).

Applicants in the urban economy field should have obtained the master’s degree and have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, or have strong industrial influence. The upper age limit is 60 years old.

(2) The applicant should have worked in Ningbo in the past 2 years (since January 1, 2022, the same below), or has a plan to come to Ningbo for work. Once selected, the talent shall work full-time on the commercialization of innovative achievements or conduct basic research in local enterprises/public institutions for at least 5 consecutive years, and shall not undertake, during this period, any other full-time work in other institutions outside Ningbo.

(3) Regarding the applicants employed in public institutions, the institution should have been established for at least 1 year, be in good financial and operational conditions, and be able to provide the talent with necessary research funds and equipment, as well as a full set of supportive elements for the industrialization of the corresponding research project.

(4) Regarding the applicants employed in enterprises, the enterprise’s legal representative, actual controller, principal founder, or the largest natural person shareholder shall not apply for this Sub-project for Innovative Talents.

2. Sub-project for Entrepreneurial Talents

(1) Applicants for this sub-project should have obtained the master’s degree or have strong industrial influence, and should have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience. The upper age limit is 65 years old (born after January 1, 1959, the same below).

(2) The applicant should have come to Ningbo for work or entrepreneurship in the past 5 years (since January 1, 2019) and have established an enterprise in Ningbo for at least 1 year (i.e., the business registration procedure should have been completed for at least 1 year as of April 15, 2024 for applicants in the first batch, and as of September 15, 2024 for those in the second batch); or, the applicant should have received a degree abroad, and have started up business or been employed at an intermediate/senior position in an overseas university/institution/enterprise, in this case, the applicant should have returned (or come to) China for no longer than 2 years, and should have a plan to start up business in Ningbo.

(3) The applicant (natural person) should be the enterprise’s founder and legal representative, and at the same time the largest shareholder or largest natural person shareholder of the enterprise. One enterprise can only apply once under this Sub-project for Entrepreneurial Talents.

(4) Regarding the applicants in the field of S&T innovation, the applying entrepreneurial talent (natural person) should have invested at least RMB 1 million to the paid-in registered capital of his/her enterprise; for those in the field of urban economy, the required amount is no less than RMB 0.5 million.

3. Sub-project for Youth Talents

This sub-project is only accessible to youth innovative talents and youth entrepreneurial talents in the field of S&T innovation. Among the applying youth innovative talents, we will give preference to the outstanding doctors and post-doctors. The upper age limit is 40 years old (born after January 1, 1984). Other required qualifications are as same as those set in the corresponding sub-projects above.

(II) Project for Entrepreneurial & Innovative Teams

This Project includes two sub-projects for innovative teams and entrepreneurial teams respectively. The specifics are as follows:

1. Sub-project for Innovative Teams

The applying innovative team should present remarkable innovative achievements or great innovative potential, work full-time on the commercialization of innovative achievements or conduct basic research in enterprises/public institutions in Ningbo, and meet the following qualifications:

(1) The applying team should consist of 1 leader and at least 4 members.

Regarding those applying in the field of S&T innovation, the team leader should have obtained the doctorate or have strong industrial influence, and should have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 55 years old (born after January 1, 1969, the same below); the team members should have obtained the doctorate, or have obtained the master’s degree plus more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 45 years old (born after January 1, 1979, the same below).

Regarding those applying in the field of urban economy, the team leader should have obtained the master’s degree or have strong industrial influence, and have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 55 years old; the team members should have obtained the master’s degree, or have obtained the bachelor’s degree plus more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 45 years old.

(2) The team leader and members should have worked Ningbo in the past 2 years, or have a plan to work in Ningbo. Once selected, the team leader and members shall work full-time in Ningbo for at least 5 consecutive years, and shall not undertake, during this period, any other full-time work in other institutions outside Ningbo.

(3) Regarding the applying teams employed in public institutions, the institution should have been established for at least 1 year, be in good financial and operational conditions, and be able to provide the team with necessary research funds and equipment, as well as a full set of supportive elements for the commercialization of the corresponding research project.

(4) Regarding the applying teams employed in enterprises, the enterprise’s legal representative, actual controller, principal founder, or the largest natural person shareholder shall not apply for this Sub-project For Innovative Teams, neither as team leader nor as team member.

2. Sub-project for Entrepreneurial Teams

The applying entrepreneurial teams should master core technologies in key fields, serve to pioneer Ningbo’s industrial progress, bolster local industrial upgrading, yield significant socioeconomic benefits, and meet the following qualifications:

(1) The applying team should consist of 1 leader and at least 4 members. The team leader should have obtained the master’s degree or have strong industrial influence, and should have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 65 years old; the team members should have obtained the master’s degree plus more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 55 years old.

(2) The team leader and members should have come to Ningbo for work or entrepreneurship in the past 3 years (since January 1, 2021), or have a plan to start up business in Ningbo. Once selected, at least half of the team members shall work full-time in Ningbo in the applying enterprise for at least 5 consecutive years. The team leader (natural person) must be the founder, the legal representative and the largest shareholder of the enterprise. The aggregate shareholding ratio of the leader and team members (natural persons) should exceed 50% (totaling the shares directly held by the leader and members on the shareholding platform of the applying enterprise registered in Ningbo); at least two of the team members should be shareholders of the applying enterprise.

(3) Regarding those applying in the field of S&T innovation, the applying enterprise’s paid-in registered capital should include at least RMB 2 million of monetary contribution, of which at least RMB 1 million should be invested by the team leader (natural person). Regarding those applying in the field of urban economy, the applying enterprise’s paid-in registered capital should include at least RMB 1 million of monetary contribution, of which at least RMB 0.5 million should be invested by the team leader (natural person).

(III) Project for Entrepreneurial Teams with Capital Investment

Entrepreneurial teams applying for this Project should boast market competitiveness, bring their technologies, projects and funds to Ningbo for development, and meet the following qualifications:

1. The applying team should consist of 1 leader and at least 4 members. The team leader should have obtained the master’s degree or have strong industrial influence, and should have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 65 years old; the team members should have obtained the master’s degree, or have more than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience, the upper age limit is 55 years old.

2. The team leader and members should have come to Ningbo for work or entrepreneurship in the past 4 years, and have established an enterprise in Ningbo (the enterprise’s business registration procedure should have been completed as of April 15, 2024 for the first batch, and as of September 15, 2024 for the second batch). Once selected, at least half of the team members shall work full-time in Ningbo in the applying enterprise for at least 5 consecutive years. The team leader (natural person) must be the founder, the legal representative and the largest shareholder of the enterprise. The aggregate shareholding ratio of the leader and team members (natural persons) should exceed 40% (totaling the shares directly held by the leader and members on the shareholding platform of the applying enterprise registered in Ningbo); at least two of the team members should be shareholders of the applying enterprise.

(3) The applying enterprise’s paid-in registered capital should include at least RMB 5 million of monetary contribution, of which at least RMB 1 million should be invested by the team leader (natural person), and at least RMB 3 million (including capital reserve) should be invested by private capital (apart from the government funding from Ningbo authorities and the enterprise’s own funds).

Among all applicants for the above projects, those exceptionally excellent or urgently-needed talents/teams may be exempted from one qualification requirement (age/ academic degree/ work experience).

IV. Appraisal Procedure

Appraisals will be jointly conducted by the Organization Department of CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee (the Talent Office of CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee), Ningbo Municipal Economic and Information Technology Bureau, Ningbo Education Bureau, Ningbo Science & Technology Bureau, Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, Ningbo Investment Promotion Agency, and other urban-economy-related departments. The specifics are as follows:

(I) Application acceptance. As of the release of this Notice to September 15, 2024, the “Online Application System of Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme” (http://rcgc.nbrc.com.cn) is accessible to eligible applicants. Please fill out the application forms and upload relevant attachments as required.

Different applications will be handled by different authorities.

Regarding the applications in the field of S&T innovation, Ningbo Municipal Economic and Information Technology Bureau will process those from industrial/ IT-based enterprises in Ningbo, as well as those from entrepreneurial teams with no registered companies in Ningbo; Ningbo Education Bureau will process applications from local universities and colleges; while Ningbo Science & Technology Bureau will handle those from scientific research institutions (including industrial technology research institutes) in Ningbo.

Applications in the field of urban economy will be addressed by Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security and other competent authorities.

Applications from entrepreneurial teams with capital investment will be handled by Ningbo Investment Promotion Agency.

(II) Eligibility review. Applications in the fields of S&T innovation and urban economy will first be appraised by competent district/county (county-level city) departments before being submitted to municipal authorities; those from entrepreneurial teams with capital investment will undergo compliance due diligence by a third-party institution entrusted by Ningbo Investment Promotion Agency.

Applications in the first batch will be reviewed from April to May, 2024; those in the second batch will be appraised from September to October, 2024.

(III) Expert review. A review panel consisting of scientists, venture capital experts and industrial professionals in related areas will appraise in such forms as written documents, oral presentations, or on-site visits. Applications in the first batch will be reviewed from May to June, 2024; those in the second batch will be appraised from October to December, 2024.

(IV) Documents of approval. In view of the panel experts’ recommendations, the due diligence results, and Ningbo’s industrial demands, the official documents of approval will be issued, in two batches, in accordance with due procedures.

V. Supportive Policies

(I) Project funding

1. Selected innovative talents, entrepreneurial talents and youth talents in the field of S&T innovation will be granted a lump-sum subsidy of RMB 1 million; selected innovative talents and entrepreneurial talents in the field of urban economy will be granted a lump-sum subsidy of RMB 0.5 million.

2. Selected entrepreneurial & innovative teams will be classified into A, B, C grades. On this basis, those in the field of S&T innovation will be granted RMB 20 million, 10 million and 5 million accordingly; those in the field of urban economy will be granted RMB 5 million, 3 million and 1 million accordingly. The subsidies will be appropriated in two installments.

3. Selected entrepreneurial teams with capital investment will receive a subsidy equivalent to 30% of the paid-in monetary investment from private capital (rounding off to the nearest hundred thousand yuan) as of the application date. The maximum funding is RMB 20 million.

The subsidies will be appropriated in two installments (50% for each installment). Specifically, as of the selected enterprise’s business registration in Ningbo, the phase-I appropriation will be granted on the condition of accumulating a direct expenditure*  that doubles the amount of the subsidy; when the amount is four times that of the subsidy, the phase-II appropriation will be granted. If the accumulative direct expenditure is already four times that of the subsidy as of the application for the phase-I appropriation, the subsidy may be appropriated in lump sum.

(*Direct expenditure: expenses by the corresponding enterprise in Ningbo on the applying project)

For those high-level and influential talents/teams with world-leading core technology, revolutionary innovative achievements, bright industrial prospects and strong market competitiveness, there will be no cap on the funding amount.

(II) Settlement & housing subsidy. Once selected, the eligible talents and team leaders can receive settlement and housing subsidies according to relevant policies.

(III) Financial & credit support. Enterprises founded by the selected talents/team leaders can access a maximum credit loan of RMB 20 million and a 3-year refinancing loan in designated cooperation banks. For those qualified enterprises, we will encourage them to obtain private equity financing in the Ningbo Equity Exchange and introduce to them local government-managed funds .

Once selected, eligible talents/teams can access other supportive policies stated in the Rules for the Implementation of Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme, as well as funding policies issued by their district/county (county-level city) of settlement. The subsidies will be granted as per the highest eligible amount with no repetitive appropriation.

VI. Miscellaneous

(I) Except for the innovative teams, innovative talents and youth innovative talents with full-time jobs in Ningbo, applicants (including team members) in the first batch shall not submit another application in the second batch. All applicants (including team members) shall only apply for one sub-project under the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme.

(II) Disqualification will be incurred under any of the following circumstances:

1. Talents/teams (including team members) who have been selected in the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme;

2. Talents, team leaders and members who have been selected in the 3315 Talent Plan;

3. Those who have been selected in the Project of Leading Youth Talents for S&T Innovation in Ningbo;

4. Those who have received support under the Ningbo Top Talent Project;

5. Those who are appointed by higher-level authorities to hold key leadership positions in Ningbo municipal departments or ministerial/provincial departments stationed in Ningbo;

6. Talents/teams directly introduced after case-based deliberation by competent municipal authorities;

7. Those who fail to fulfill or appropriately conclude their previous agreements, including government-sponsored students studying abroad, senior visiting scholars, postdoctoral expatriates under international exchange programs, and other individuals going abroad with financial support from governments at all levels; or those who have engaged in malfeasance, illegal activities, or academic misconduct.

(III) Applicants (including team leaders and members) are required to make the following commitments in the application system. Failure to comply with these requirements will incur disqualification:

1. Selected teams shall not arbitrarily reduce or replace team members, reduce the registered capital, or change the content and objectives of their projects;

2. Once settled in Ningbo, the selected applicants shall not apply for similar programs in other localities;

3. Selected entrepreneurial talents/teams shall prioritize efforts on their projects in Ningbo. Businesses thereof established in Ningbo shall be based in Ningbo and maintain substantive operations for at least 10 years. For those applicants with multiple affiliated companies in different localities, in the case of going public, the enterprise based in Ningbo shall be the primary entity.

4. Selected innovative talents/teams shall work full-time in Ningbo for at least 5 years, pay social insurance premiums and income taxes according to relevant regulations, and not undertake, during this period, any other full-time work in other institutions outside Ningbo.

(IV) Applicants shall apply in good faith, otherwise the individuals will be disqualified, placed on the list of dishonest personnel, and permanently lose the eligibility for the Ningbo Yongjiang Talent Programme. Those who have already been selected will have their approvals revoked. In case of illegal offenses, relevant individuals shall be subject to legal liability.

(V) The submitted application materials shall not contain state secrets. Should the occasion rise that requires classified information, the classified content shall be submitted separately in accordance with national security regulations, and attached with a security clearance document from the applicant’s employer. Under no circumstances shall the top-secret materials be submitted.

(VI) The Leadership Office of Talent Work of CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee reserves the right of interpretation for this Notice.

(VII) Unauthorized editing of this Notice is prohibited. Violators will be subject to legal liability.

(VIII) Contact information

General contact: Mr. Li 0086-574-89186470

         Mr. Qian 0086-574-89182897

1. For entrepreneurial & innovative talents/teams in the field of S&T innovation

For industrial/ IT-based enterprises: Ms. Zhou 0086-574-89292060

For scientific research institutions: Ms. Huang 0086-574-89298068

Ms. Lin 0086-574-89292217

For universities and colleges: Mr. Chen 0086-574-89186473

2. For entrepreneurial & innovative talents/teams in the field of urban economy

General contact: Mr. Gao 0086-574-89298093

E-commerce: Mr. Sa 0086-574-89387096

Port and shipping logistics: Mr. Jiang 0086-574-89189042

Financial insurance: Mr. Wu 0086-574-89185807

Culture, education, health & sports:

Culture & sports: Mr. Ying 0086-574-89182745

Education: Mr. Chen 0086-574-89186473

Healthcare: Mr. Chen 0086-574-89183886

Professional services:

Accounting: Ms. Xu 0086-574-89388559

Legal service: Ms. Zhou 0086-574-87002630

Human resources: Ms. Zheng 0086-574-89298083

Other professional services: Mr. Sun 0086-574-89382795

Urban planning & design: Mr. Wang 0086-574-89284642

Architecture: Ms. Wang 0086-574-89187220

Fashion & creativity: Ms. Liu 0086-574-89186461

S&T service: Ms. Huang 0086-574-89298068

Modern agriculture: Mr. Shi 0086-574-89186655

3. For entrepreneurial teams with capital investment

Contact person: Mr. Yang, 0086-574-89585030

Appendix：Prioritized Sectors Disciplines in Specific Fields.docx