Notice of on Launching the 2026 Engineer Special Program Under the Young Science and Technology Talent Cultivation Project, China Institute of Navigation
Document of CIN:〔2026〕No. 97
To all member units:
To thoroughly implement the spirit of the important speeches delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the National Science and Technology Award Conference, a pilot program in 2026—the Engineer Special Program under the Young Science and Technology Talent Cultivation Project (hereinafter referred to as the Young Engineer Program) is going to be carried out. Aiming to and to vigorously cultivate outstanding young engineering and technical talents in the maritime field, this was jointly approved by several institutions, including the Academicians Conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), China Institute of Navigation, in accordance with the unified arrangements and requirements of CAST, . The relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:
I. Selection Criteria
The target candidates for the Young Engineer Program are mainly young engineering and technical talents in the maritime field who are engaged in engineering technology research and development, design, construction, manufacturing, consulting, and other work in enterprises and research institutes, and who have a certain practical foundation. The specific candidate requirements are as follows:
- Possess Chinese nationality; love the motherland and the Communist Party of China; abide by laws and disciplines; have upright moral character and an honest academic style; and have good political quality and devotion to family and country;
- Be dedicated to work and diligent in research; have been steadily engaged in engineering and technical work for at least 5 years; have participated or are participating in major projects or major scientific research tasks at or above the provincial or ministerial level, or are currently engaged in engineering and technical work in key fields urgently needed by the country;
- Be aged 40 or below (inclusive) (calculated according to actual age as of August 31 of the application year); possess a bachelor's degree or above and an associate senior or above professional title. Those who have not participated in professional title assessment must have been engaged in engineering and technical work for at least 10 years and provide proof of engineering practice achievements or engineering competence evaluation certification recognized by their employer, industry association, or society;
- Have not been subject to any handling due to moral misconduct, serious academic misconduct, violation of science and technology ethics, or disciplinary and legal violations;
- Candidates shall be individual members of China Institute of Navigation.
II. Recommendation Channels and Quotas
(1) Recommendation Channels
Each member unit shall recommend candidates that meet the requirements from his own organization. China Institute of Navigation will centrally accept and organize the review, after which the candidated shall be nominated on a merit basis to the China Association for Science and Technology.
(2) Recommendation Quotas
The member units, including enterprises and research institutes that meet the selection criteria, may recommend no more than one candidate each .
III. Recommendation Procedures
The recommendation work is carried out via the “Smart CAST Young Scientific and Technological Talent Development Program – Engineer Special Project” service platform (https://rcps-qpgc.cast.org.cn/c/home), which is now open.
1. Distribution of recommendation codes by recommendation channels
Member units that intend to apply shall contact the designated contact person for “business consultation” at the Institute to obtain the “recommendation code”.
2. Candidates fill in and submit their personal information
Candidates shall log in to the service platform before 23:59 on August 20, 2026, using their mobile phone number and a verification code to register/log in, select “Online Application”, fill in the Recommendation Form for the CAST Young Scientific and Technological Talent Development Program – Engineer Special Project (sample form attached) online, upload the relevant supporting materials, fill in the “recommendation code”, and complete the submission.
3.Review and submission of the list of recommended candidates
China Institute of Navigation will organize the review of the candidates’ materials, determine the final list of recommended candidates, and submit it to the China Association for Science and Technology.
IV. Relevant Requirements
The cultivation service period for the Young Engineer Program generally does not exceed three years. The cultivation services mainly include political training, professional development, and social practice. During the cultivation period, the cultivation objects shall actively participate in cultivation activities, log in to the service platform in a timely manner to submit cultivation records, and accept evaluation and assessment.
V. Contact Information
1. Business consultation: Wang Yan 010-65299866
Rao Jingchuan 010-65299829
2. Consultation on membership for organizations and individuals: Li Sha 010-65299867
3. Service platform technical support: Teacher Li 17611555820
Attachment: Recommendation Form for the CAST Young Scientific and Technological Talent Development Program – Engineer Special Project (sample form)
China Institute of Navigation
August 6, 2026
