Newly-established R&D institutions in Anhui Province are defined as independent legal entities registered and operational within the region, focusing on scientific innovation. These institutions engage primarily in scientific research, technological innovation, and R&D services. They are characterized by a diversified investment base, modern management systems, market-oriented operational mechanisms, and flexible employment practices. Legally, they can be registered as private non-enterprise units in technology (social service organizations), public institutions, or enterprises.

New R&D institutions are an vital component of the provincial science and technology innovation system, primarily serving to:

- Conducting basic and applied research.

- Developing key technologies that are common in industries.

- Facilitate the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

- Providing R&D services in key areas aimed at the strategic emerging industries and the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries across the province.

To qualify as a new R&D institution in Anhui Province, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

1. Possessing independent legal person status. The applicant must be an organization or institution registered in Anhui Province with independent legal person status, possessing a certain economic strength and relatively stable sources of funding. The main office and research facilities should be located in Anhui Province, and it should have been in operation for more than 2 years after registration.

2. Having diversified investment entities. R&D institutions funded solely by fiscal funds from a single entity, with the main source of income being long-term stable fiscal fund investments, are generally not accepted.

Following an autonomous application, endorsement by the Hefei Science and Technology Bureau, expert evaluation, and deliberation by the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Department according to the Management and Performance Evaluation Methods for New R&D Institutions in Anhui Province, the International Institute of Finance was approved as a new R&D institution in 2020. Among the 51 approved new R&D institutions in Anhui that year, it was the only one in the field of intelligent finance