France strengthens the European dimension of its national research agency with new measures

France is seeking to strengthen the position of its National Research Agency (ANR) as "springboard to Europe".

Philippe Baptiste, French Minister for Research, Higher Education and Science, announced on 12/06/2026 several measures to “strengthen the European dimension of French research”.

The ANR action plan to be published in July 2026 will introduce new eligibility criteria for collaborative programmes, such as the international visibility of laboratories, the involvement of early-career researchers in key networks and links with socio-economic partners. Single-team projects will remain eligible, with a view to future European project applications.

The ANR will also be entrusted with the task of mapping European calls for proposals. Furthermore, with a view to simplification, the Ministry announced that the ANR will remain “the almost exclusive channel for funding through calls for proposals”.

The Minister also invited all institutions and laboratories to incorporate the European dimension into their strategy.

“Moving towards Europe must not be an option," Baptiste stated. "It is…