Echoing the efforts of building Nanjing into a talent magnet and a core engine driving Jiangsu’s ambition to become a globally influential industrial and technological innovation center, Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security and Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Finance jointly issued the Measures for Supporting the Development of Overseas Returnees of Nanjing City. This document, valid until December 31, 2028, specified the city’s plan to better facilitate innovation and start-up businesses of overseas returnees through a full-fledged whole-chain service system.

Beneficiaries of this new policy include not only those who obtained a bachelor’s degree or above abroad, but also those who have gone abroad for further studies after obtaining a bachelor’s degree (or professional certificate at intermediate level or above) in China or to work as visiting scholars (including postdoctoral fellows) for one year or more.

A package of core support measures was launched to ensure effective policy implementation. First, overseas trips will be organized on a frequent basis to invite more high-caliber professionals to participate in Nanjing’s brand activities such as Nanjing Conference on International Exchange and Cooperation for Overseas Chinese Professionals and Nanjing Overseas Talent Startup Contest. The first-prize winning projects in the finals of Nanjing Overseas Talent Startup Contest will receive project support after negative factor assessment. In addition, a new funding program will be implemented to support technological R&D projects by overseas returnees in enterprises and public institutions in Nanjing. The program will shortlist qualified projects each year and offer one-time grants according to their respective levels: RMB 100,000 for Class A projects, RMB 50,000 for Class B projects, and RMB 30,000 for Class C projects.

The new policy also specifies the application and recognition procedures for promising start-up businesses by overseas returnees and for outstanding returned talent at the ministerial, provincial, and municipal levels. High-caliber professionals recruited in the support plan at the municipal level or above will enjoy preferential policy support and services such as expert consultation, matchmaking with venture capital, presentation and publicity, and premium health and wellness services.

Adding to the efforts of developing international talent blocks, the new policy will better facilitate overseas returnee accreditation and grant research subsidies in accordance with regulations. Liuningjia Alliance, a service platform for overseas returnees and returnee-founded enterprises in Nanjing, will expand its scope to provide specialized services such as recruitment and training to returnees and enterprises.

It is worth mentioning that the new policy lays greater emphasis on the development of enterprise expert studios at both the municipal and district level. High-caliber professionals recruited for project R&D and scientific research via expert studios will be granted a maximum project funding of RMB 1 million.