National-regional governance of STI

At national level, research and innovation policy is the responsibility of two main ministries, namely the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty (MEFSID). The MESR is responsible for preparing and implementing the Government's policy on the development of higher education, research, and technology. More specifically, the MESR is responsible, alone or in conjunction with other relevant ministries and governmental entities, for topics including: the allocation of resources and means allocated by the State within the framework of the interministerial mission for Research and Higher Education; the definition and implementation of the Future Investment Programme; the definition and monitoring of innovation policy. The Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty prepares and implements the Government's policy in a wide range of areas: economic, financial, competition, consumer protection and fraud prevention, responsible economy, as well as industry, digital, space, services, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), craftsmanship, commerce, postal and electronic communications, accounting expertise, and tourism. The MEFSID develops measures to promote the growth and competitiveness of the French economy and to encourage and inward investment. It is responsible for financing companies, particularly SMEs and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs). It also implements the France 2030 plan aimed at economic development. The ministry is competent for topics including : competitiveness policy; industrial and digital independence, its strategic orientations, and monitoring of industrial sectors, services as well as the development of digital economy and technologies and SME policy. The ministry’s services are subdivided into 10 major general directorates, and notably the Directorate-General of Enterprises (DGE) which develops and implements public policies related to industry and the digital economy. In addition, the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI), under the authority of the Prime Minister, oversees the deployment and implementation of the France 2030 strategy and investment programme, in coordination with all government ministries. Reduced to 13 since 1 January 2016, the French ‘metropolitan’ regions areas of action were redefined by the law on the New Territorial Organisation of the Republic (NOTRe). Six overseas territories also have the status of outermost region. The regions have several exclusive competencies including economic development which covers policies such competitiveness clusters, business support and design and implementation of the regional plan for economic development, innovation, and internationalisation (SRDE-II). The latter defines priorities in terms of aid to companies, support for internationalisation, aid for investment and innovation in companies. The regions are also solely responsible for the management of some European programmes (ex: ERDF) or only part of the others (ex: ESF) Each region has a regional council responsible for regional development policies including playing a role in supporting research and innovation activities within their territories. They may allocate funding to R&D, support research infrastructures, and collaborate with local stakeholders to promote innovation ecosystems. Some regions have specific agencies or structures dedicated to promoting innovation and supporting research-industry collaborations. These agencies may offer funding, support services, and networking opportunities for businesses, research institutions, and start-up entrepreneurs.

National and regional S3s: organisation and governance

All French regions developed an S3 strategy during the 2014-2020 programming period. For 2021-2027, the ERDF regional programmes are designed in line with the Regional Plan for Land Planning, Sustainable Development and Territorial Equality (SRADDET) and the Regional Plan for Economic Development, Innovation, and Internationalisation (SRDEII), with the regional smart specialisation strategy an additional strategic document derived from/aligned with the SRDEII (currently these plans cover the period 2022-2028). The development of a SRDEII is a requirement of the NOTRe Law. The SRDEII sets out guidelines for economic development (support for businesses, internationalisation support, aid for investment and innovation, territorial attractiveness, etc.). The SRDEII is developed in collaboration with local authorities, interests groups, and chambers of commerce. The SRDEII is prescriptive, meaning its guidelines are binding on local authorities (departments, etc, with the exception of metropolitan authorities). Their decisions, particularly regarding support for businesses, must therefore be compatible with the guidelines of the SRDEII. It should also be noted that the regions have adopted regional plans for higher education, research and innovation (SRESRI), which define the guidelines for intervention by the regions and other local authorities in the fields of higher education, research and innovation, in line with the State's national strategies. The S3, on the other hand, is a non-prescriptive strategic framework that provides a prioritisation of regional action in the R&I field and notably in the context of the regional ERDF programme, priority objective 1. More information on the S3 and priorities of the French regions can be found on the S3 CoP page of each region. Besides regional S3s, at the national level, the long-term strategy France 2030, as well as the Recovery and Resilience Plan, seek to boost innovation by devoting investment funds to R&D and innovation, targeting strategic sectors such as hydrogen, decarbonation of industry and advanced digital technologies. France does not have a national Smart Specialisation Strategy.

For information on regional S3s, please return to the homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/assets/s3-observatory/index_en.html