Shandong planned to launch the application for the provincial first enterprise technology innovation projects in 2024 on March 11. Notably, the industries of the future were included in such projects this year. The objective was to encourage enterprises to focus on industries of the future, such as metaverse, artificial intelligence, life science, quantum information, and deep-sea and aerospace exploration, and strengthen forward-looking research plans.

The enterprise technology innovation projects in the province in 2024 will concentrate on achieving significant advancements in key and core technologies for iconic industrial chains, such as new generation of information technology, high-end equipment, and high-end chemical engineering. According to the application criteria, the proportion of a project undertaking unit's R&D investment in the previous year must not fall below 2.5% of its operating revenue (the R&D investment proportion must not be lower than 2% or the investment must not be lower than 100 million yuan in the case that the revenue exceeded 400 million yuan). The project undertaking unit must have an independent R&D institution with full-time R&D personnel. Meanwhile, the leader of the project must be the unit's regular, in-service employee or individual whose term of employment extends beyond the duration of the project, and the R&D team of the project must comprise no fewer than five members. Additionally, enterprise technology innovation projects shall focus on making breakthroughs in major, key, and core technologies as well as industrial generic technologies. Priority will be given to supporting the application of international patents and projects that contribute to the formulation of national and industry standards.