Shandong province has recently rolled out a series of measures to accelerate the sharing of large-scale scientific instruments and pilot facilities.

The new measures aim to significantly increase the number of instruments available for sharing. By the end of 2026, the province expects to have 30,000 large-scale instruments listed on its sharing platform, with a combined original value of 25 billion yuan ($3.4 billion). This would place Shandong among the top provinces in China in terms of the scale and value of its shared scientific instruments.

To encourage more companies to utilize these shared resources, the province will provide innovation vouchers worth 40 to 60 percent of the cost for small and medium-sized enterprises that use shared instruments for research and development. This incentive will also be extended to cover costs incurred when using instruments located outside of Shandong province.

To further promote sharing, the provincial government will reward institutions that provide high-quality sharing services with up to 2 million yuan in funding. This incentive is designed to encourage institutions to actively participate in the sharing program and improve the overall quality of services.

By promoting the sharing of scientific instruments and pilot facilities, Shandong aims to increase the availability of scientific resources, reduce redundant purchases, and lower innovation costs for businesses. This initiative will help to foster a more vibrant innovation ecosystem in the province.