Research and Innovation background
- France 2030: France’s flagship R&I strategy providing a national investment framework targeted at boosting innovation in strategic sectors, including transport, through to 2030. It guides large-scale public investment delivered through dedicated operators (as described in the sections below). There are several objectives prioritising decarbonisation of transport and transport innovation including producing 2 million electric and hybrid vehicles and producing the first low-carbon aircraft.
- Strategy for the development of clean mobility (SDMP 3): France’s operational policy under the national low carbon framework that identifies decarbonisation pathways, modal shift objectives, and innovation-oriented measures across land transport (road, rail, water, active mobility) for 2030–2035. It provides direction for innovation requirements for low-emission vehicles, infrastructure, shared mobility, logistics optimisation, and energy transitions.
- National strategy for automated and connected road mobility (2025–2027): A strategic framework that outlines innovation needs to scale up automated/shared transport services, support testing and deployment, and integrate connectivity and digital services into mobility systems (pre-commercial research and demonstration).
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Transport: Responsible for implementing government policy on transport and transport infrastructure. It delivers policy on the development of all modes of transport (road, rail, water, aviation and active mobility). It also covers related areas such as satellites and meteorology, together with defence transport and intermodality.
- Agence de l’innovation pour les transports (AIT): Dedicated innovation agency under the Ministry of Transport that runs the Propulse open innovation programme to accelerate prototype innovations across sustainable mobility, quality of service, multimodality and digital transport solutions.
- Pôle Véhicule du Futur: Non-profit organisation that fosters collaboration among industrial, academic, and training entities to advance future vehicle technologies and mobility solutions. It enhances synergies across different sectors involved in the development of innovative transport solutions.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Propulse programme (5ᵉ édition): AIT’s flagship 2025–2026 open innovation programme offering targeted calls for projects in sustainable transport, quality of service and multimodality. It focuses on providing tailored coaching, technical and regulatory support, and acceleration pathways for selected transport innovation projects, rather than funding more typical research and innovation activities.
- Bpifrance transport & mobility calls: Bpifrance is a major financial institution that funds innovation programmes. Included in its funding activities are national innovation calls under France 2030 and related initiatives supporting research and demonstration in road vehicles, components, advanced technologies, and sustainable transport systems (e.g., CORAM 20252026, hydrogen innovation, industrial transformation calls). They support innovation and entrepreneurship through SME ‘accelerator’ programmes.
- ADEME innovation calls: ADEME is the ‘French Agency for Ecological Transition’, with the aim of supporting innovation to the point of adoption of solutions and good practice. ADEME funds activities under a research and development strategy; the current version covers 2021 to 2027 and is focused on four thematic research priorities:
- The preservation and restoration of environments and resources;
- The circular economy from a resilience perspective;
- Low-carbon energy and industrial systems
- The ecological transition and society.
ADEME issues targeted calls for transport innovation, including decarbonisation and digitalisation of rail transport and alternative energy systems, which are cofinanced under national strategies such as France 2030.
- France has a strong focus on regional programmes to improve transport and mobility in those regions. These programmes include:
- Programme Sud - Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Massif des Alpes ERDF-ESF+-JTF 2021-2027
- Programme Guadeloupe ERDF-ESF+ 2021-2027
- Programme Guyane ERDF-ESF+ 2021-2027
- Programme Hauts de France ERDF-ESF+-JTF 2021-2027
- Programme Martinique ERDF-ESF+ 2021-2027
- Programme Pays de la Loire ERDF-ESF+-JTF 2021-2027
- Sectoral innovation and skills initiatives in transport & logistics (Compétences et Métiers d’Avenir) – A programme driving innovation ecosystem development with elements focusing on skills and workforce developments in transport and logistics aligned to decarbonisation, digital technologies and industry transformation, including immersive technology applications.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)