The Promoting Effect of the “Enlisting and Leading” System in Scientific Research Projects on Talent Development

Abstract

Based on data from the Science and Technology Departments and policy documents from seven representative regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area during 2020-2024, this study employs qualitative methods to systematically examine the impact mechanism and practical challenges of the “Enlisting and Leading” system on talent development. The findings reveal that: First, the “Enlisting and Leading” system is primarily applied to technological projects, with insufficient application in scientific research projects, indicating a clear imbalance in application areas. Second, in strategic industries such as new-generation information technology, bio-medicine, artificial intelligence, and new energy, the system has significantly enhanced the concentration of high-level talents and innovation output efficiency. Third, specific issues exist in the system’s implementation, including regional talent mobility barriers, singular evaluation indicators, and low policy execution efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a long-term development mechanism by constructing regional collaborative innovation mechanisms, innovating talent evaluation mechanisms, and strengthening policy implementation effectiveness. This requires institutional guarantees regarding organizational leadership, financial support, and supervision and evaluation. The research conclusions provide empirical evidence and policy references for optimizing the design of the “Enlisting and Leading” system and enhancing the effectiveness of talent development policies.