Industry-Leading Talent (Team) Program

Industry-Leading Talent (Team) Program

Available for:

Technology innovation and entrepreneurship talent and teams with outstanding performance and potential in Qingdao's key industries, capable of driving industrial innovation and commercialization of research findings.

Qualifications:

1. The applicant must be a technology enterprise registered in Qingdao for at least one year with independent legal personality.
2. The talent must have signed a formal labor contract or part-time cooperation agreement with the employer for at least 3 years, covering the management period. Part-time talents must work for the employer at least 3 months per year.
3. Foreign talent must hold a Foreigner's Work Permit and a work-type residence permit, or an R visa.
4. The project must align with Qingdao's "10+1" innovative industrial system and "4+4+2" modern marine industrial system.

Benefits:

1.Talent allowance for team leaders and leading talents:

• • Full-time team leader (Class I): up to RMB 5 million
  • Part-time team leader (Class I): up to RMB 1 million
  • Full-time team leader (Class II): up to RMB 3 million
  • Part-time team leader (Class II): up to RMB 600,000
  • Full-time innovation/entrepreneurship leading talent: up to RMB 500,000
  • Part-time innovation leading talent: up to RMB 200,000

These are maximum amounts for each category; the actual allowance depends on the talent's category and full-time/part-time status. The team leader's share generally does not exceed 60% of the team's total allowance, with the remainder distributed among core members based on contribution. The allowance is distributed in two equal installments: the first upon selection, and the second at the end of the 3-year management period based on performance and attendance.

2. Project funding is provided through equity investment, with investment management institutions making market-oriented investments.

Process:

1. The Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau issues an application notice.
2. Enterprises submit applications through the Qingdao Science and Technology Program Management System (accessible via the Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau portal: qdstc.qingdao.gov.cn).
3. The Bureau organizes preliminary review and final review defense.
4. After inspection and public notice, benefits are granted according to procedures.

Contact information:

Science and Technology Talent Division, Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau: 0532-85911893

Sources:

Benefits: Laoshan District Government official Q&A on Qingdao Industry-Leading Talent subsidies (April 2026).

Qualifications and process: Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Notice on Organizing the Application for the 2026 Qingdao Industry-Leading Talent (Team) Program (Qingke Rencai Zi [2026] No. 4).