SHENZHEN will continue to offer subsidies to support research projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a notice released by the city’s science, technology and innovation commission Tuesday, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday. The commission started seeking the first batch of research projects related to the pandemic at the end of February this year. The second batch of projects that the city is now looking for covers 11 categories, which involve drug research and development, pathogen detection, and research and development of treatment equipment. Funding for the projects will range from 5 million yuan (US$712,500) to 30 million yuan. Projects related to the research and development of coronavirus vaccines will be given a subsidy of up to 30 million yuan. The project implementation period is 24 months, according to the notice. The leading applicant for the subsidy shall be a university, scientific research institution, medical institution or enterprise registered in Shenzhen according to the law and an independent legal entity, or a public scientific research institution in Hong Kong. For projects involving drug or vaccine research and development, the applicants should include at least one enterprise that has a background in the field, according to the notice. Applicants are required to log onto https://sticapply.sz.gov.cn/ to fill in the application form. The deadline for online application is Aug. 6. (Zhang Yu) |