Shanghai Innovation Voucher Program

Shanghai Innovation Voucher — Scheme

Supports Shanghai small firms through automatic innovation vouchers to offset a share of development costs.

The Shanghai Innovation Voucher Program, run by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, provides electronic coupons that subsidize the purchase of research-and-development services by Shanghai-based technology SMEs and innovation teams. Eligible spending includes testing, R&D outsourcing, intellectual-property services, and consulting procured from STCSM-registered providers. The scheme spans technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, medical technology, manufacturing, and hardware, and the current cycle runs from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2030.

Vouchers range from CNY 10,000 to CNY 1,000,000 per recipient and cover between 5 percent and 25 percent of qualifying R&D spending. A distinctive feature is the auto-grant mechanism: no application is required, and vouchers are issued automatically to entities that pass an eligibility check, with upfront availability. Eligible recipients are for-profit tech-oriented SMEs registered in Shanghai and listed on the national tech-SME platform, high-tech SMEs, or Specialized and New SMEs. Innovation and entrepreneurship teams of at least three core members based in Shanghai incubators, university science parks, or maker spaces also qualify, even without legal-entity status. Universities, research organizations, non-profits, and individuals are not eligible.

Vouchers are redeemable only at STCSM-registered service institutions through the program portal at kjcxq.stcsm.sh.gov.cn. Because qualifying entities receive vouchers automatically, success rates are high for those that meet the criteria. The practical task for an SME is to confirm its placement on the relevant tech-SME list and to route eligible R&D-service purchases through registered providers so the voucher can be applied, rather than to prepare a competitive proposal.