Financing R&D and innovation

The research tax credit (CIR) covers fundamental research, applied research and experimental development work that resolves a scientific or technical uncertainty. Its rate is 30% of expenses up to €100 million in mainland France, then 5% beyond that; it is 50% up to €100 million in overseas departments. Public grants received for the project are deducted from the basis.

The innovation tax credit (CII), reserved for SMEs, covers the costs of designing prototypes or pilot installations for new products, downstream of research. Its rate in mainland France is 20%, on a basis capped at €400,000. The same expense cannot be counted under both the CIR and the CII.

Bpifrance funds innovation programmes while they are being carried out. The Innovation Development Grant takes the form of a grant or a repayable advance, with a support rate of 25% to 65% of eligible expenses and a cap of €3 million. The Innovation Advance, for breakthrough projects with high uncertainty, covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, capped at €3 million, over a maximum of 36 months.

The R&D Innovation Loan complements these grants: up to €3 million, capped at twice equity and quasi-equity, over 5 to 8 years with a 1- to 3-year grace period. It notably funds staff, equipment, prototypes, pre-production series and certain intellectual property costs. Lastly, the Innovation Guarantee covers 60% of a bank loan dedicated to an innovation project.

Regions have their own R&D and innovation grants, often combined with European ERDF funds: the catalogue lists 45 for this stage. They frequently target collaborative projects between companies and local laboratories.

The most ambitious projects fall under national calls for projects (France 2030, including i-Démo for major structuring projects) or European ones (Horizon Europe, Eurostars, European Innovation Council). Their timelines are set call by call: several calls listed here are closed and are kept for historical reference.