SHENZHEN has started this year’s application for subsidies for tech projects jointly funded by Shenzhen and Hong Kong enterprises and institutions. A project subsidy will be capped at 3 million yuan (US$464,000), the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology and Innovation Commission said.

The subsidies will be handed out to companies and institutions in various fields including Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), integrated circuit (IC), 5G, medical biotechnology, modern Chinese medicine, advanced electric materials, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and robots and intelligent equipment.

Subsidy applicants are required to be companies, higher education institutions, research institutions or medical and health care institutions legally registered in Shenzhen. Their Hong Kong counterparts must be public research institutions or research centers founded by innovation or technology funds.

Applicants should also have signed deals with their Hong Kong counterparts. The two sides should conduct research together and define their rights and obligations on technology, labor, devices, investment and intellectual property ownership.

According to the commission, Shenzhen and Hong Kong cooperative project units must submit their applications to their respective local technological departments. These departments will award the subsidies separately to local companies or institutions if the project is reviewed and approved by both the Shenzhen and Hong Kong departments.

Eligible units can now apply for the subsidy online via “深圳市科技业务管理系统” (https://sticapply.sz.gov.cn/). Deadline for submissions is Nov. 19.

The commission Wednesday announced a preliminary list of subsidized anti-COVID projects for public review. A total of 84.6 million yuan will be awarded to the 13 projects from higher education institutions, hospitals, research institutions and enterprises. The projects will receive subsidies from 600,000 yuan to 15 million yuan as per the different research fields such as drug development, antibody research and test equipment. The highest subsidy — 15 million yuan — will be given to an R&D project targeting oral coronavirus drugs.  (Chen Siqi)