Program Overview

The Global Institute of Future Technology Future Scholars Program is a premier undergraduate research program established by the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Guided by a student-centered educational philosophy, the program provides research-intensive training opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in frontier scientific research at an early stage. Focusing on the strategic areas of Future Energy, Future Health Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence, the program promotes interdisciplinary learning and innovation through faculty mentorship and project-based research.

Operating under a one-to-one mentorship model, the program supports students in exploring key scientific and technological challenges through research projects, academic exchanges, industry engagement, and experiential learning opportunities. Through these experiences, participants develop scientific curiosity, critical thinking skills, research capabilities, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

The program seeks to cultivate the next generation of innovators, researchers, and future leaders who will contribute to scientific advancement, technological innovation, and sustainable societal development.

Educational Framework

The GIFT Future Scholars Program focuses on two strategic interdisciplinary domains—Future Energy and Future Health Technologies—empowered by Artificial Intelligence.

Students participate in one to two years of structured research training under the guidance of faculty mentors from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Leveraging GIFT's interdisciplinary research platforms and innovation resources, participants engage in frontier research, academic exchange, and innovation-oriented practice.

The program encourages inquiry-driven learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and independent exploration while helping students build a solid academic foundation for future study and research. Through sustained mentorship and hands-on research experience, participants develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary for future leadership in science and technology.

Impact

Since its launch in 2023, the GIFT Future Scholars Program has supported more than 200 undergraduate researchers from 22 schools and departments across Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Working closely with faculty mentors, participants have conducted research in areas including artificial intelligence, future energy, and future health. Their achievements include publications in leading academic journals, presentations at international conferences, awards in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, and the development of interdisciplinary research projects.

The program has also become an important pathway to advanced research training. Among scholars who have completed their undergraduate studies, over 95% have pursued graduate education, with more than two-thirds entering doctoral programs directly.

Beyond individual accomplishments, the program has fostered a vibrant research community where undergraduate students engage with real scientific challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and develop the skills required for future careers in academia, technology, and innovation.