The Ministry of Science and Technology allocates 340 million yuan in funding to support 19 types of projects related to hydrogen energy technology!

Green hydrogen production and large-scale storage systems 1.1 Key technologies and demonstrations for 10 MW-class alkaline-proton exchange membrane hybrid hydrogen production systems (common key technologies) 1.2 Anion exchange membrane electrolysis technology for hydrogen production (common key technologies) 1.3 Cutting-edge technologies for hydrogen production via thermochemical cycles for water splitting (youth scientist projects) 1.4 Cutting-edge technologies for hydrogen production via water photolysis (youth scientist projects) 1.5 Direct-fill high-pressure proton exchange membrane electrolysis technology for hydrogen production (youth scientist projects) 1.6 Key technologies for electrolyzers and systems for hydrogen production from seawater (common key technologies) 1.7 Technology for hydrogen production via direct natural gas cracking along with the production of high-value carbon materials (common key technologies)

System for the safe storage and rapid transmission of hydrogen energy 2.1 Research on liquid hydrogen storage, supply, and utilization technologies as well as demonstration at transportation hubs (application demonstration category) 2.2 Technologies to ensure consistency in the mass production of on-vehicle Type IV hydrogen storage tanks (key common technologies) 2.3 Technologies for high-density, large-capacity, and fast-response solid-state hydrogen storage devices (key common technologies) 2.4 Key technologies for large-scale hydrogen storage based on geological conditions, along with experimental verification (key common technologies)

Convenient hydrogen conversion and efficient power generation 3.1 Key technologies for integrating fuel cell microgrids at the user side and actively supporting the power grid (common key technologies) 3.2 Key technologies for clean and efficient combustion of coal blended with hydrogen/ammonia (common key technologies) 3.3 Development of simulation software for the volt-ampere performance design of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks (common key technologies) 3.4 Design and integration of single-megawatt-class proton exchange membrane fuel cell combined heat and power systems (common key technologies) 3.5 Technologies for fuel cell-turbine hybrid cycle power generation systems (common key technologies) 3.6 Interface processes and material-related basic technologies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells across different temperature ranges (basic research) 3.7 Key technologies for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks (basic research) 3.8 High-precision stack assembly and mass production equipment technologies (application demonstration)

I. Project organization and application process 1. The applying entity organizes the application in the form of a project, based on the research topics outlined in the guidelines; sub-projects may be established within such a project. The project should be submitted as a whole, covering all the assessment criteria specified in the relevant guidelines. The project has 1 project leader, and each sub-project has 1 leader; the project leader can serve as the leader of one of these sub-projects. 2. Integrate high-performing innovation teams and actively involve female researchers in project development. Focusing on the tasks outlined in the guidelines, it is necessary to strengthen coordination among basic research, the development of common key technologies, and the creation of model applications, by pooling efforts for joint problem-solving. Capable female researchers are encouraged to take the lead as project leaders to undertake tasks. 3. **The application process for key R&D program projects is divided into two stages: preliminary application and formal application, with the specific workflow as follows. ——Fill out the pre-declaration form. In accordance with the relevant application requirements outlined in the guidelines, the project applicants fill out and submit a preliminary project proposal of around 3,000 words through the **Science and Technology Management Information System Public Service Platform (http://service.most.gov.cn, hereinafter referred to as the “National Science and Technology Management System”). This proposal details the objectives and indicators of the proposed project, while also providing a brief overview of the innovative approach, technical approach, and research foundation. There must be no less than 50 days from the date of issuance of the guidelines to the deadline for submitting pre-submissions. The pre-application form should include the relevant agreements and commitment letters. The lead applicant for the project should sign a joint application agreement with all participating entities, and specify the date on which the agreement is signed ； The leading applicant for the project, the applicants for the specific research topics, the project leader, and the topic leaders must sign an integrity commitment letter. The leading applicant for the project and all participating units must comply with requirements such as those set out in \"Several Guidelines on Further Strengthening Integrity in Scientific Research\" and \"Guidelines on Further Promoting the Spirit of Scientists and Strengthening Work Ethics and Academic Integrity\", and must enhance the review of application materials to prevent exaggerations and inaccuracies, as well as to strictly prohibit any form of fraud. The pre-application form must be recommended by the relevant organization. The recommending agencies should strengthen the review of the application materials for the projects they recommend, and submit these projects in a timely manner through the National Science Management System. Professional agencies accept the preliminary applications and organize the first round of evaluation. To ensure a level of healthy competition, for individual guidance areas that are subject to unsolicited submissions, if the number of teams submitting proposals does not exceed the number of projects intended to be supported, no further evaluation or approval process for projects under that guidance area will be initiated; instead, the guidelines will be reviewed and released at a later date. Professional organizations conduct a review of the organizational structure, and carry out the first round of evaluation based on the submitted information. The first round of evaluation does not require the project leader to give a defense. Based on the experts’ evaluation results, 3 to 4 times as many applications as the intended number of projects to be approved are selected to proceed to the defense review. For projects that have not proceeded to the defense review, the review results should be promptly communicated to the project applicants and their supervisors. ——Fill out the official application form. For project applications that have passed the first round of evaluation and proceed directly to the defense review, the official project application form must be filled out and submitted through the National Science Management System; the acceptance period for such official applications is 30 days. Professional institutions accept formal applications and organize defense evaluations. Professional organizations conduct a formal review of the project proposals submitted for defense evaluation, and organize the defense evaluations. The person in charge of the submitted project gives a presentation and defense via online video. Projects are selected based on expert evaluations. For guideline directions that support 1–2 projects, in principle only one project is supported. If the evaluation scores of the top two applicants are similar while their technical approaches differ significantly, both projects may be approved for support simultaneously. A dynamic adjustment mechanism should be established, and key milestones should be assessed as part of the process management; the subsequent method of support will then be determined based on these assessment results.

II. Recommending agencies for organizing applications 1. Scientific and technological departments under relevant State Council ministries； 2. Science and technology authorities of various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities designated as separate planning units, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps ； 3. Industry associations established through the transformation of former industrial sectors ； 4. Industrial technology innovation strategic alliances that are included in the Ministry of Science and Technology’s pilot program and have received an A rating in the evaluation, as well as industry pilot alliances for the innovative development of science and technology services that are part of the initiative carried out by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance. Each recommending entity shall make recommendations within the scope of its functions and responsibilities, and be accountable for the authenticity of the projects it recommends. The list of recommended institutions is publicly released on the National Science Management System.

III. Qualification Requirements for Application 1. The leading applicant and participating entities for the project must be research institutions, universities, and enterprises registered in the Chinese mainland, possessing independent legal person status. Their registration date must be prior to June 30, 2022, and they should have strong capabilities and facilities for scientific and technological research and development, as well as standardized operational management. **Agencies shall not take the lead in or participate in the application process. The leading applicant for the project, the participating institutions, and the team members all have a good reputation for integrity; they have no record of serious breaches of integrity in research activities during any period of disciplinary action, nor are they on any relevant blacklist in social sectors. A submitting entity may submit a single project through only one recommending entity; multiple submissions or repeated submissions are not allowed. 2. The project (research) leader must hold a senior professional title or a doctoral degree, be born after January 1, 1963, and dedicate no less than 6 months per year to working on the project. 3. The person in charge of a project (research topic) should, in principle, be the scientist who proposed the main research approach for that project (topic) and is actually leading the research. Civil servants in **government agencies at all central and local levels (including those who perform functions related to the management of science and technology programs) are not permitted to submit projects (research topics). 4. Experts who have participated in the formulation of the implementation plan for key special projects or this year’s project guidelines shall, in principle, not be able to apply for such key special projects (research topics). 5. Foreign scientists employed by institutions on the Chinese mainland, as well as scientists from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, can serve as project (research topic) leaders. Full-time employees must provide valid proof of their full-time employment from their employer on the mainland, while part-time employees must have valid employment proof provided by both parties, which shall be submitted together as part of the preliminary project application materials. 6. Once a project application is accepted, in principle, the applying entity and the responsible person cannot be changed. 7. The requirements for project application review are detailed in Attachment 1. Before formally submitting their project applications, applicants can use the National Science Management System to check information on ongoing projects undertaken by relevant researchers under initiatives such as the Key R&D Programs, the Innovation 2030–Major Projects, etc., in order to avoid submitting duplicate applications. 8. For specific application requirements, please refer to the respective application guidelines; in case of any special provisions, those shall prevail.

IV. Project management reform measures 1. Regarding the “call for proposals and assignment of leadership” projects. To effectively improve the efficiency of investment in research and development and enhance the practical applicability of major innovative achievements, key research and development programs focus on **research tasks that are strategically necessary, have a clear application orientation, and involve well-defined end-users, by establishing projects based on competitive bidding. Emphasize the role of end-users and implement management methods such as signing \"military orders\" and setting \"milestone\" assessments. There are no requirements regarding registration time for the organizations submitting proposals, and no restrictions on age, educational background, or professional title for the leaders of these teams. Teams that have the confidence and capability to effectively tackle key core technologies are encouraged to apply. Clarify the funding amounts for ranking-related tasks, simplify budget preparation, and explore the use of a \"negative list\" for fund management. 2. Regarding the young scientists program. To create more opportunities for young researchers to undertake **goal-oriented major research and development projects, the key research and development program has established a program for young scientists. Depending on the field and specific characteristics, various approaches such as establishing dedicated programs for young scientists or setting up specific research projects for them are adopted. The Young Scientists Program does not require full compliance with all the guidelines; it does not assign specific research topics, and in principle, no budget evaluations are conducted. Young scientists are encouraged to boldly explore more innovative and groundbreaking methods and approaches in order to better contribute to achieving the overall objectives of the program. 3. Regarding inter-ministerial collaboration. Some specific tasks will be carried out through a collaborative effort between the central government and local authorities, in line with **major strategic initiatives and the critical needs of regional industrial development. The relevant departments and local governments will work together to identify these needs, contribute resources jointly, and manage the projects in a coordinated manner. Local authorities will introduce special policies to utilize the outcomes of these projects, thereby facilitating the creation and practical application of significant scientific and technological achievements throughout the project implementation process. 4. On technology readiness level (TRL) management. For task areas with clear technical frameworks and well-defined quantitative evaluation criteria, the key research and development plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan explores the implementation of technology readiness management. The application guidelines will specify the requirements regarding technical readiness, and technical readiness indicators will be included in subsequent evaluations and assessments. Scientifically defined \"milestone\" checkpoints will be established to strictly monitor the progress of project implementation and associated risks, ensuring the production of high-quality outcomes.

V. Specific application methods 1. Online submission. All applicant units are requested to submit their applications online through the National Science Management System as required. The professional agency will use the application forms submitted online as the basis for subsequent formal reviews and project evaluations. All the attached documents required in the application materials should be uploaded as electronic scans. The acceptance period for project applicants to submit their preliminary applications online is from 8:00 on June 28, 2023, to 16:00 on July 28, 2023. For the projects that advance to the defense and evaluation stage, the submitting entities are required to fill out a formal application form as specified and submit it through the National Science Management System; the specific timing and relevant requirements will be notified separately. 2. Organizational recommendation. All recommending agencies are requested to confirm each recommended project individually through the National Science Management System by 16:00 on August 2, 2023, and to upload the recommendation letter bearing the official seal of the recommending agency in electronic scan format. 3. Technical consultation phone number and email: 010-58882999 (relay line), program@istic.ac.cn. 4. Business consultation phone number: (1) Consultation phone number for the key project on \"hydrogen energy technology\": 010-68104492. (2) Consultation phone number for the key special project on “Clean and Efficient Utilization Technologies for Coal”: 010-68104467. (3) Consultation phone numbers for the key project on “Energy Storage and Smart Grid Technologies”: 010-68207731, 68207706. (4) Consultation phone number for the key project on “renewable energy technologies”: 010-68104408. (5) Consultation phone number for the special project on \"new energy vehicles\": 010-68104408. (6) Consultation phone number for the key project on “Transportation Equipment and Intelligent Transportation Technologies”: 010-68104467. (7) Consultation hotline for the “Transport Infrastructure” key project: 010-68104492.

Attachments: 1. Requirements for project application review 2. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Hydrogen Energy Technology” key program in 2023 3. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Clean and Efficient Utilization of Coal Technology” key program in 2023 4. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Energy Storage and Smart Grid Technology” key program in 2023 5. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Renewable Energy Technology” key program in 2023 6. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “New Energy Vehicles” key program in 2023 7. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Transportation Equipment and Intelligent Transportation Technology” key program in 2023 8. Guidelines for applying for projects under the “Transportation Infrastructure” key program in 2023