Notice on Organizing the Competency Level Evaluation for Technology Managers in the Materials Field

All relevant units,

In order to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, promote the construction of a technology innovation system featuring deep integration of industry, academia, and research, strengthen the standardized, regulated, and professional development and evaluation of technology managers, and advance the building of a talent ecosystem for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, this initiative is carried out in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements, the State Council’s Plan for the Construction of the National Technology Transfer System, and the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Action Plan for High-Quality Training of Technology Transfer and Transformation Talent.

Based on the requirements for the construction of the Technology Manager training system of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and under the guidance of CAST and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS) hereby organizes the “Sci-Tech China” competency level evaluation for Technology Managers in the materials field. The relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:

I. Evaluation (Eligible Candidates)

This evaluation is open to professionals from government departments, universities, research institutes, technology transfer service organizations, intellectual property operation and service institutions, financial institutions, as well as new-type R&D institutions, makerspaces, incubators, accelerators, and other innovation and entrepreneurship incubation platforms. Eligible candidates are those who play roles in organization, coordination, management, and consultancy in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in the materials field, and who are engaged in services such as achievement identification, cultivation, evaluation, promotion, and transaction.

Employing institutions for materials technology managers include, but are not limited to:

• Government agencies and affiliated public institutions at all levels

• Technology transfer service organizations

• Intellectual property operation, management, and service institutions

• R&D institutions, including national research institutes, local research institutes, industrial research institutes, and higher education institutions

• Materials-related science and technology enterprises, including R&D enterprises, manufacturing enterprises, testing and certification bodies, and consulting service institutions

• Materials-related science parks and innovation carriers, such as makerspaces, incubators, accelerators, university science parks, and industrial parks

• Financial institutions, including banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and investment funds

• Industry societies and associations in the materials field

• International science and technology innovation cooperation organizations in the materials field

• Individuals who participated in and passed the “Capacity Enhancement in Professional Technology Transfer and Transformation in the Materials Field” program organized by C-MRS in 2024

II. Eligibility Requirements

(I) Junior Technology Manager

Applicants for Junior Technology Manager shall meet the following conditions:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in the materials field and have no less than two years of experience in providing technology transfer and transformation services; or hold a master’s degree or above in the materials field; or have relevant education or training in materials-related technology transfer and have provided such services for no less than five years;

2. Have participated in the formulation of policies, plans, or standards related to technology transfer and transformation in the materials field, or in relevant research projects or programs;

3. Have participated in organizing technology transfer training, innovation and entrepreneurship activities, or activities such as technology matchmaking and scientific innovation forums in the materials field;

4. Have participated in technology transfer and transformation projects in the materials field that generated certain economic or social benefits, or have received government recognition, awards, or support.

(II) Intermediate Technology Manager

Applicants for Intermediate Technology Manager shall meet the following conditions:

1. Have provided technology transfer and transformation services for no less than three years as a Junior Technology Manager; or hold a bachelor’s degree in the materials field and have no less than five years of relevant service experience; or hold a master’s degree or above in the materials field and have no less than two years of relevant service experience; or hold a doctoral degree in the materials field and be engaged in technology transfer and transformation services;

2. Have served as a key contributor to major research projects on technology transfer and transformation in the materials field and completed relevant reports; or have led the drafting of relevant policies, plans, or standards; or have published papers or monographs related to technology transfer and transformation in the materials field;

3. Have served as a lecturer or expert in technology transfer training, innovation and entrepreneurship activities, or led the organization of technology matchmaking or innovation forums;

4. Have participated in projects that generated certain economic or social benefits, or have received government recognition, awards, or support.

(III) Senior Technology Manager

Applicants for Senior Technology Manager shall meet the following conditions:

1. Have provided materials-related technology transfer and transformation services for no less than four years as an Intermediate Technology Manager; or hold a bachelor’s degree in the materials field with no less than seven years of relevant service experience; or hold a master’s degree or above in the materials field with no less than five years of relevant service experience;

2. Have repeatedly led major research projects on technology transfer and transformation and completed relevant reports; repeatedly led the drafting of relevant policies, plans, or standards; or have published more than three papers or monographs related to theory or practice of technology transfer and transformation;

3. Have organized and planned technology transfer training, innovation and entrepreneurship activities, or led the organization of technology matchmaking or innovation forums with notable social impact;

4. Have led technology transfer and transformation projects that achieved significant economic or social benefits, or have received multiple important government recognitions, awards, or support.

III. Evaluation Process

(I) Application

Applications may be submitted individually or organized by institutions. Applicants shall complete the Application Form for Competency Evaluation of Technology Managers in the Materials Field (see attachment) and submit it by email to colenda@126.com no later than 17:00 on May 15.

(II) Qualification Review

C-MRS will conduct qualification reviews according to the requirements for each level. Only applicants who pass the qualification review may proceed to the competency evaluation stage.

(III) Competency Evaluation

1. Junior Technology Manager
   Evaluation by written examination only (100%). The examination covers:

   • Basic knowledge, including fundamental concepts, policies and regulations, technology transfer, and technology development trends;

   • Practical skills, including technology identification, invention disclosure, achievement evaluation, transaction planning, and intellectual property protection;

   • Professional competence in the materials field.

2. Intermediate Technology Manager
   Comprehensive evaluation by written examination (50%) and expert review (50%).

   • Written examination content: innovation thinking, policies and regulations, technology transfer, technology development trends; practical skills such as technology identification, achievement evaluation, intellectual property protection, business negotiation, incubation and cultivation; and professional competence in the materials field.

   • Expert review: experts assess applicants’ competency based on personal statements, work achievements, and supporting materials.

3. Senior Technology Manager
   Comprehensive evaluation by written examination (30%) and expert review (70%).

   • Written examination content: policies and regulations, technology transfer, technology development trends; practical skills such as intellectual property strategy and protection, enterprise development, and corporate governance; and professional competence in the materials field.

   • Expert review: experts conduct an interview and defense based on applicants’ personal statements, work achievements, and supporting materials.

Specific dates for examinations and interviews will be notified separately.

(IV) Public Announcement

The list of candidates proposed to pass the evaluation will be publicly announced on the C-MRS website for five working days.

(V) Certificate Issuance

Upon completion of the public announcement without objections, certificates corresponding to the evaluated competency levels will be jointly issued by “Sci-Tech China” of CAST, relevant evaluation institutions, and the Chinese Materials Research Society.

IV. Evaluation Fee

No fees will be charged to applicants for this evaluation.

V. Contact Information

Contact Person: Professor Zhang
Tel: +86 188 1096 6312
Email: colenda@126.com