NDRC Announces Research Solicitation
Applications due by May 19.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has opened applications for two 2026 research projects related to the country’s low-altitude economy policy agenda.
The notice was issued on May 9 by the NDRC’s Low-Altitude Economy Department, with applications due by May 19.
The solicitation focuses on two areas —
Legislation for the low-altitude economy
The first project seeks research on legal and regulatory frameworks for the sector.
The scope includes comparative analysis of international legislative models, review of existing and proposed Chinese regulations, and recommendations for legal structures governing low-altitude economic activities.
Deliverables include a formal research report and draft legislative recommendations.
Cost analysis and cost reduction in low-altitude logistics
The second project concerns operational economics in low-altitude logistics, including drone-based and aerial transport systems.
The research is expected to examine costs across different logistics scenarios such as urban last-mile delivery, intercity feeder transport, and long-range cargo operations.
The project also calls for comparisons with traditional transport methods and recommendations aimed at supporting commercial scaling and reducing logistics costs.
The notice states that eligible applicants must be legally registered organizations such as enterprises, public institutions, or social organizations. Individual applications are not permitted.
Project leaders are generally expected to hold senior academic qualifications or doctoral degrees.
Selected research units will receive government funding after a review process conducted by the department.
According to the notice, projects will run from contract signing through December 2026, with final reports due before December 25, 2026. Intellectual property rights for the research outputs will belong to the NDRC’s Low-Altitude Economy Department, and public release of findings will require prior approval from the department.
Below is a translation of the notice. The original notice can be viewed here. The translation has been slightly formatted to improve readability.
Announcement on Soliciting Research Topics for 2026 by the Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development of the National Development and Reform Commission
Publication Date: 2026/05/09
Source: Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development
In order to better advance research on the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy, research institutions are hereby openly solicited from society. The specific matters are announced as follows.
I. Research Topics and Key Points
(I) Deepening Research on Legislation for Low-Altitude Economy Development
1. Research Focus:
Through analysis and comparison, study and select legislative theories applicable to the field of the low-altitude economy.
Comprehensively review international legislative practices in the field of the low-altitude economy and conduct in-depth comparative studies.
Systematically review existing or proposed domestic laws and regulations related to the low-altitude economy, study the relationship between low-altitude economy legislation and relevant laws and regulations, and propose the positioning of low-altitude economy legislation.
Based on the current situation and future development trends of the low-altitude economy field, propose key areas that low-altitude economy legislation should guide and regulate.
Study and formulate legislative paths and methods for the low-altitude economy, as well as legal frameworks, draft recommendations, and related materials.
2. Deliverable:
Submit a research report on deepening legislation for low-altitude economy development (including relevant draft legal recommendations).
3. Contact for the Research Topic:
010-68503327.
(II) Research on Cost Analysis and Cost-Reduction Measures for Low-Altitude Logistics
1. Research Focus:
Based on the current development status and operational models of China’s low-altitude logistics sector, establish a full-chain and comparable cost-calculation framework.
Conduct in-depth analysis of cost structures in different scenarios such as urban last-mile delivery, intercity feeder cargo transport, and cross-regional long-haul trunk cargo transport, and compare them with traditional transportation methods to study the cost competitiveness of low-altitude logistics in specific scenarios.
Assess medium- and long-term industry development trends, analyze key factors constraining reductions in low-altitude logistics costs, and conduct targeted research to propose specific cost-reduction measures, thereby supporting the scaled and commercialized development of low-altitude logistics.
2. Deliverable:
Submit a research report on cost analysis and cost-reduction measures for low-altitude logistics.
3. Contact for the Research Topic:
010-68503299.
II. Application Requirements
1. Research topics must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the successive plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, conscientiously implement the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, correctly understand and accurately grasp the decision-making and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, focus on the key and critical points of the research topics, deepen research and demonstration, strengthen the forward-looking and predictive nature of the research outcomes, and submit high-quality research reports.
2. Applicant institutions for research topics must possess the necessary personnel and material conditions to complete the research. In principle, applicants should be enterprises, public institutions, or social organizations with independent legal person status.
Applications in an individual capacity will not be accepted. The project leader should possess a relatively high level of academic attainment in the relevant research field and, in principle, hold a senior associate title or above, or a doctoral degree, with strong organizational, coordination, and guidance capabilities, and participate throughout the entire research process.
Applicant institutions should carefully organize research teams based on their own strengths, and joint bids by cross-sector and interdisciplinary expert teams are encouraged.
3. Please complete the application form as required (attached below). The application form must be stamped and confirmed by the institution of the lead applicant.
Three hard copies and one electronic version on disc shall be sent via the postal system (EMS) to the Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development of the National Development and Reform Commission (Detailed address: No. 38 Yuetan South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, Postal Code: 100824). Please indicate “Research Topic Application” on the envelope.
4. The application deadline is May 19, 2026 (subject to the postmark date).
5. Our department will organize evaluations of the submitted research proposals and select the best candidates according to procedures. Final results will be announced on the official website of the National Development and Reform Commission, and formal contracts will be signed with selected entrusted institutions, with corresponding funding support provided.
6. During the execution period of the project, the project leader shall comply with relevant commitments, fulfill agreed obligations, and complete the research tasks on schedule.
The intellectual property rights of the research outcomes shall belong to the Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development.
If the undertaking institution or participating personnel wish to publicly publish the research outcomes, prior consent from the Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development must be obtained.
III. Requirements for Project Execution Timeline
The execution period of the project shall run from the date of contract signing until the end of December 2026.
The undertaking institution shall organize project initiation, mid-term evaluation, and final review in a timely manner as required, and submit the final research outcomes by December 25, 2026 (3 full copies of the research report and 1 electronic version; 3 abbreviated versions of the research report and 1 electronic version).
Department of Low-Altitude Economy Development
National Development and Reform Commission
May 9, 2026