A high-performing innovation ecosystem

France has established itself as a leading country for foreign investment in research and development, thanks to a solid scientific ecosystem and structured public support.

In 2024, more than one-quarter of foreign investment was directed towards R&D, with strong momentum in artificial intelligence (AI) and decarbonisation.

This concentration reflects the confidence of international players.

Innovation is based on close cooperation between the public and private sector, via 53 innovation clusters that bring together business, research laboratories, training centers and public players.

In addition, France has a leading scientific ecosystem, supported by internationally recognized research and training institutions in many fields (physics, energy, disruptive technology, digital, engineering, etc.).

Launched in 2021, “France 2030” is a strategic investment plan aimed at sustainably transforming the French economy. It supports the emergence of new industrial sectors, accelerates the ecological transition and strengthens technological sovereignty in key sectors, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hydrogen, biopharmaceuticals, semiconductors and nuclear energy.

With a budget of €54 billion, “France 2030” supports innovation, industrialization and skills development across the entire country.

• 7,500 projects supported.
• Over 6,000 patents filed.
• 155,000 jobs created.
• 1 million people trained.
• -18Mt of carbon dioxide/year.

This framework offers predictability and stability to businesses.

The research tax credit is an important tool for France’s economic attractiveness.

It covers 30% of R&D expenditure up to €100 million (and 5% above this sum), allowing the cost of a researcher to be reduced by more than one-quarter on average (French National Association for Research and Technology, 2024; Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, 2024).

It finances 20% of private R&D, a ratio unique in Europe.

This is one of the most attractive R&D tax credits in the OECD.

France was the leading country to benefit from the European Innovation Fund in 2025. Created in 2020, this European Union funding mechanism supports industrial projects deploying innovative low-carbon technologies.

It is fueled by the sale of carbon dioxide allowances from the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

In 2025:

• 14 winning projects were led by French businesses or businesses located in France.
• More than €650 million in funding secured.

This positioning confirms the ability of French players to structure competitive industrial projects on a European scale.

To find out more, visit the European Innovation Fund page.