According to the recently issued Qingdao Implementing Regulations on Measures of Scientific and Technological Awards, new requirements have been imposed on Qingdao scientific and technological awards in terms of nomination, evaluation and presentation to further raise the threshold for qualification and pave the way for selecting high-quality scientific and technological projects. Furthermore, emphasis on the leading role will be shifted from “strength in science and technology” to “industrial strength”, and the “award for contribution to achievement transformation” will be added to facilitate the transformation of award-winning outstanding scientific and technological achievements into productivity.

The renewal of scientific and technological awards in Qingdao has highlighted the signal of focusing on needs for economic development and intensifying scientific and technological awards. To win the newly added award for contribution to achievement transformation, a project, independently developed or introduced through assimilation by the award-winning team, needs to focus on one of 24 key industry chains in Qingdao, and has helped improve dramatically technological levels and core competitiveness in certain industry and seen a substantial scale effect as well as remarkable economic, social or ecological benefits. Over the recent years, up to 70% to 80% award-winning scientific and technological projects in Qingdao are closely associated with 24 key industry chains.

To date, Qingdao scientific and technological awards have expanded from five categories to six categories, including municipal supreme scientific and technological awards, municipal natural science awards, municipal technological invention awards, municipal scientific and technological advancement awards, municipal awards for contribution to achievement transformation and municipal awards for international cooperation on science and technology.  (Geng Tingting)

Qingdao has a strong atmosphere for scientific and technological innovation. In the photo is the Haier central air-conditioner interconnected factory, designated as a Global Lighthouse Factory.)