On September 29, 2021, China Technology Market Association announced the winners of the 3rd Golden Bridge Awards. Due to excellent performance in promoting the transfer, transformation and industrialisation of scientific and technological achievements, the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with five other prize winners, was awarded the outstanding contribution award, the top prize of the Golden Bridge Awards. 

The China Technology Market Association Golden Bridge Awards were established with the approval of the National Office for Science & Technology Awards. It is a highly authoritative award in science and technology besides the three major awards of China (the National Natural Science Award, the National Science and Technology Progress Award, and the National Technology Invention Award).  

The Golden Bridge Awards for "Sannong" (Agriculture, Rural Areas and Farmers) Affairs are reviewed and selected every two years in order to reward collectives and individuals promoting the industrialisation of high-tech achievements through technical services and to commend excellent projects emerging in the construction of technology market. 

This year's Golden Bridge Awards set up four categories of awards: Outstanding Contribution Award, Outstanding Project Award, Advanced Collective Award, and Advanced Individual Award. IAE is the only award-winning agency that belongs to the CPC Central Committee. 

The IAE's winning of this award is a great affirmation of the scientists' hard work on building the national technology market, which will effectively promote the construction of a Public-Private Partnership for Innovation and strengthen the independent innovation capability of the institute.