A maximum of 10 million yuan will be disbursed to the first set of major technical equipment, the first batch of new materials, and the first version of software. Measures of Sichuan Province for the Identification and Management of the First Set of Major Technical Equipment, the First Batch of New Materials, and the First Version of Software ("the Measures" for short), jointly issued by Sichuan Provincial Economic and Information Department and Sichuan Provincial Finance Department on July 19, encourages and guides enterprises to actively carry out innovative R&D in key industrial areas.

　　"The first set of equipment or batch of complete equipment, machine, and relevant core components, control systems, basic materials, and software are those featuring striking breakthroughs in variety, specification, structure, and technical parameters via innovation, possessing intellectual property rights, and standing in the initial stage of marketing," said the head of Major Technical Equipment Division of the Sichuan Provincial Economic and Information Department.

　　The Measures aims mainly at promoting innovation and development in "16+1" key industrial areas, including aviation and gas turbines, rail transit, intellectual equipment, and electronic information, and equipment needed in major projects, agriculture, emergency response, medical treatment, and people's living.

　　Sichuan Provincial Economic and Information Department led the formulation of the Catalogue of Sichuan Province on the Promotion and Application of the First Set of Major Technical Equipment, the First Batch of New Materials, and the First Version of Software. Products in line with the Catalogue are eligible to apply for "the Firsts".

　　The head noted: "There are two kinds of identification of 'the Firsts', one is at the nation level, the other province level." Applicants for the national identification are required to meet the international standards while those for the provincial identification should meet the national standards. Moreover, businesses and products applying for the identification should own intellectual property rights with reliable performance.

　　According to the Measures, products listed on the Sichuan Provincial Bulletin of the Firsts can be awarded at most 5% of the contract amount sold in the first year after obtaining the identification, and the incentive payment for each product should not exceed 10 million yuan. If developers and users are both in Sichuan, 30% of the reward will be given to the former and 70% the latter; if the users are located outside Sichuan or China, only developers can receive the reward.

　　The Measures celebrates a newly-added subsidy for innovative breakthroughs. Specifically, Sichuan will subsidize the developers of the first set of equipment, the first batch of new materials, or the first version of software, which has been listed on the Bulletin with worldwide or nationwide state-of-the-art technologies, through the provincial industrial development fund. Not more than 30% of the contract amount will be granted to those leading abroad, less than 20% to those at home, both with 10 million yuan capped.

　　What's more, policies such as a premium subsidy are included in the Measures. Notably, one set or one batch of products can only enjoy either the subsidies for innovative breakthroughs, premium subsidies, or sale incentives.