Management Regulations for the GIFT Future Scholars Program

1. Program Overview

The GIFT Future Scholars Program is initiated by the Global Institute of Future Technology and is a research talent development program for undergraduates at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, supported by the Foresight Science and Technology Innovation Foundation. This program aims to support undergraduate students in participating in scientific research internships and practical activities, stimulate their enthusiasm for research, uncover their potential in scientific research, and cultivate students with research backgrounds in future energy technologies and future health technologies to meet the needs of future development.

These regulations have been established to standardize the operation and management of the GIFT Future Scholars Program in accordance with the actual conditions of the Institute.

2. Organizational Structure

To ensure the effective operation of the GIFT Future Scholars Program, the following governance and support bodies are established:

· Advisory Committee

· Special Working Group

· Expert Advisory Panel

·  Faculty Mentor Team

·  Student Management Committee

·  Future Scholars Association

3. Eligibility

Applicants: Undergraduate students at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Year 1–Year 3).
Research Areas: Future Energy, Future Health Technologies , and AI-integrated interdisciplinary research.
Funding quota: Approximately 90 students are supported annually.
Duration of support: The funding period is generally one year, and shall not exceed two years in special cases. All students must submit a final project completion report before graduation.
Eligibility requirements: Applicants must demonstrate integrity and academic honesty; a strong interest in scientific research and solid research practice ability, with the aspiration to pursue a research-oriented career; meet the scholarship eligibility requirements specified in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Undergraduate Scholarship Evaluation and Management Regulations; be diligent in academic study with strong English listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities; and rank within the top 50% of their class (or cohort) in comprehensive evaluation. Candidates with outstanding research ability may have this requirement appropriately relaxed.

4. Application Process

The “GIFT Future Scholars Program” is launched twice a year (Spring and Fall semesters), and research topics are solicited from faculty mentors.

The program is open for applications through a university-wide call for proposals. Eligible students shall submit the Application Form for Shanghai Jiao Tong University “GIFT Future Scholars Program” together with supporting materials including a research proposal and relevant certificates. Research topics may be suggested by faculty mentors or independently developed by applicants, subject to guidance and endorsement by the supervising faculty member.

Following an initial eligibility screening, applications are evaluated by an expert review panel convened by the Institute. Selected projects are approved and announced publicly. Approved projects shall be conducted under faculty supervision in accordance with the approved research plan.

5. Funding and Support

Academic Stipend: Upon project approval, each student receives an academic stipend of RMB 10,000, disbursed in two installments.

Research Grant: A research start-up grant of RMB 10,000 per student is disbursed upon project approval.

Professional Mentorship: The program operates on a one-to-one mentorship model, with each supported student assigned a faculty mentor in a relevant disciplinary field. Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research is actively encouraged.

Academic Exchange: Students are invited to participate in high-level international academic forums and lectures organized by GIFT Institute, including the GIFT Lecture Series, the GIFT Scholars Forum, and the GIFT International Young Scholars Forum.

Certificate of Completion: Upon successful project completion, students receive the GIFT Future Scholar certificate. Mentors who supervise students through project completion are awarded the GIFT Future Scholars Mentor honorary certificate.

Excellence recognition: Based on project evaluation results, up to 20% of projects will be designated as “Excellent Projects” and awarded the “GIFT Distinguished Future Scholar” certificate.

Summer camp recommendation: Students in the program applying for the Graduate Admission Summer Camp of the GIFT School will be given priority admission under equivalent conditions.

6. Project Changes and Completion

Changes to Approved Projects: If a student takes a leave of absence, the project shall be suspended during the leave period and may resume upon the student's return. If a student withdraws from the University, the project shall be terminated.

If changes to the research plan, budget, project timeline, or project personnel are required for legitimate reasons, the student shall submit a written request with the endorsement of the faculty mentor for review and approval by the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT).

Submission for Completion Review: Projects shall submit a completion application within one month after the scheduled project end date. Deferred projects and projects initiated during the third year of undergraduate study shall complete the final project defense during the spring semester of the fourth year.

Completion Review: The Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT) shall organize an expert review panel to evaluate the project completion report, supporting materials, and final defense performance, and determine the final evaluation result.

Requirements for Project Completion: At least one representative research outcome is required, including but not limited to:

1. Submission or publication of academic papers in natural sciences or engineering;

2. Technological inventions, creative solutions, patent applications, or granted patents;

3. Other representative practical achievements or research reports.

All academic outputs shall acknowledge funding/support as:

· Chinese: 上海交通大学溥渊未来学者计划资助/支持

· English: Supported by GIFT Future Scholars Program

During the project period, students shall, under the guidance of their faculty mentors, participate in at least one of the following activities:

· Application for the NSFC Youth Student Basic Research Program;

· Participation in the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition;

· Participation in the Challenge Cup Chinese College Students’ Entrepreneurship Competition;

· Participation in the Challenge Cup National College Students’ Extracurricular Academic Science and Technology Competition;

· Participation in a Career Planning Competition;

· Participation in other discipline-related innovation and entrepreneurship competitions.

Project Termination: A project will be terminated under the following circumstances:

1.The student is absent without cause from two or more required program activities (mid-term review, final defense, field visits, etc.) during the project period;

2.The project cannot be completed as planned due to uncontrollable factors;

3.Other special circumstances in which the supervising faculty member determines the project cannot continue.

Any student found to have violated academic integrity, research ethics, or other academic standards, or who receives a disciplinary sanction during the project period, shall have their participation status revoked, any certificates awarded shall be withdrawn, and the student shall be disqualified from future applications to the program.

7. Fund Management Regulations

Academic Stipend: The stipend is disbursed in two installments — RMB 4,000 upon project approval, and RMB 6,000 upon successful project completion.

Research Grant: A start-up grant of RMB 10,000 per student is released upon project approval. Research grant funds are jointly managed by the department and the supervising faculty member, and are to be used primarily for direct project-related expenditures (such as materials, testing and processing, publication/documentation/IP-related fees, project travel expenses, conference fees, and small specialized equipment). General-purpose laboratory equipment, office computers, and similar items should, in principle, be provided by the supervising laboratory and may not be charged to the project research budget.

In the event of project termination, all subsequent disbursements of funds and stipends will be canceled.

8. Supplementary Provisions

This regulation shall take effect from the date of promulgation.

This regulation was reviewed and approved on March 28, 2026, and shall be interpreted by the Administration Office.