NUSRI-CQ set up four centres in (1) Advanced Manufacturing and Materials; (2) Intelligent Sensing and AI; (3) Modern Logistics; and (4) Finance and Financial Risk Management. A total of 40 internationally well-recognized NUS academic staff had been partially seconded to NUSRI-CQ, serving as the Principal Investigators (PIs) to lead the research, technology transformation and graduate education.

BLOCK71 Chongqing, an NUS technology transfer and commercialization platform in Chongqing, aims to develop an ecosystem for international technology transfer and commercialization in Chongqing. It also serves as an incubator for deep-tech startups in Liangjiang New Area. BLOCK71 Chongqing promotes the two-way technology exchange between China and Singapore, assisting NUS and Singapore startups to establish their presence in Chongqing and Western China, and providing a pathway for Chongqing enterprises to explore the ASEAN market.

To implement the initiatives of "One Belt and One Road", "China-Singapore Strategic Connectivity" and "Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City Economic Circle", it is critical to develop multi-cultural talents with global experience and mind-set. NUSRI-CQ will offer a variety of programs, including PhD and MSc by research, executive training and student exchanges in collaboration with local institutions. NUSRI-CQ intends to serve as the talent development platform, playing important roles in connecting Chongqing with Singapore, ASEAN and beyond.