[Photo/VCG]

The Pujiang Talent Program has granted nearly 900 million yuan ($137.8 million) to more than 4,400 overseas returnees who have contributed to Shanghai's science and technology innovation, according to the program report published on Thursday.

The program was initiated by the Shanghai human resources and social security bureau and the Shanghai science and technology commission in 2005 to attract talents who have studied abroad to work, perform research or start businesses in the city.

The program supports four types of returnees: natural science researchers, humanities and social sciences scholars, entrepreneurs who start tech startups, and talents in sectors that cater to urgent needs.

In the past 15 years, the program has raised its annual funding from 38 million yuan to 100 million yuan.