Aide pour le développement de l’innovation (innovation development aid)
This permanent Bpifrance scheme takes the form of a recoverable advance or a zero-rate grant, depending on the project. The announced aid rate is between 25% and 65% of accepted costs; the exact rate and amount depend on Bpifrance’s review. Check against the current Bpifrance catalogue before applying.
An innovation project — a new product, process or service — often involves design, prototyping and R&D costs long before any sales. Bpifrance’s Aide pour le développement de l’innovation finances this phase, provided the project has a real prospect of industrialisation or commercialisation.
Funded by Bpifrance
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Who can apply
The scheme targets SMEs under the EU definition: fewer than 250 employees, revenue below €50M or balance sheet below €43M, and independent (not more than 25% owned by a company that is not itself an SME). An extension up to 2,000 employees exists exceptionally under Bpifrance’s current criteria. The company must be established in France.
Eligibility conditions
The project must involve industrial research and/or experimental development with a concrete prospect of industrialisation or commercialisation — purely exploratory research with no identified market is not the target of this scheme. Covered costs include design, feasibility studies, R&D, external services, prototypes, intellectual property, design, patents, equipment and industrial launch.
What the scheme covers
Costs linked to developing the innovative product, process or service: technical and economic feasibility studies, in-house or subcontracted R&D, prototypes, filing patents or other intellectual property rights, design, and industrial launch costs once development is complete.
Amount and funding terms
The maximum amount indicated for this scheme is €3,000,000, to be confirmed depending on the nature and scale of the project. The announced aid rate is 25% to 65% of the costs accepted by Bpifrance, with no guarantee that a given project will reach the top of this range. Eligible costs and the form of financing (recoverable advance or grant) are set during the review.
How to apply
1. Formalise the innovation project (target product, process or service) and its industrialisation prospects. 2. Cost the design, R&D, prototyping and intellectual property expenses concerned. 3. Contact Bpifrance (online or via a regional office) for an initial eligibility assessment. 4. Prepare the technical and financial application requested by Bpifrance. 5. Confirm the aid rate and form of financing (recoverable advance or grant) offered after review.
Timeline
A permanent Bpifrance scheme with no application deadline: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The review time depends on the project’s complexity and must be confirmed directly with Bpifrance.
Key facts
- Funder
- Bpifrance
- Type of funding
- Repayable advance
- Status
- Ongoing
- Maximum amount
- €3,000,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
Is it a grant or a loan?
Both forms exist: a recoverable advance (repayable if the project succeeds commercially) or a zero-rate grant, depending on the project and Bpifrance’s review.
Which companies are eligible?
SMEs under the EU definition (generally fewer than 250 employees), established in France, carrying out an R&D project with commercial prospects.
What is the maximum amount?
Up to €3,000,000, with an aid rate of 25% to 65% of accepted costs depending on the application.
Is there an application deadline?
No, it is a permanent scheme reviewed on a rolling basis, not a call for projects with a fixed deadline.
Official source
Official Bpifrance page ↗(manual)Applications are made from the official source (usually in French).
Other grants of type “repayable advance”
ADIE Capital Contribution Loan: a zero-rate advance to strengthen the founder’s contribution
ADIE
Up to €3,000
Development aid for industrial SMEs and services to industry
Métropole Européenne de Lille - MEL
Financing a large company’s development strategy in the Métropole Européenne de Lille with the “Development aid for large companies” scheme
Métropole Européenne de Lille - MEL
Other grants from Bpifrance
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