Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is a major region for higher education and research. With its leading university centers, it ranks 4th in France for the number of researchers and R&D spending and has a strong innovation dynamic. Aix Marseille University and Université Côte d’Azur have been awarded the “Initiative of Excellence” label, which gives them international recognition.

For its policy in favor of higher education, research and technology transfer, the Region provides direct funding of over 60 million euros each year.  It has committed, through the future State-Region Plan Contract 2021-2027, nearly € 97 million under the strategic axis “Higher Education, Research, Innovation”. In addition, 55 million € of the European Fund for Economic and Regional Development (ERDF) are dedicated to the thematic orientation “Strengthen research, technological development and innovation. The Region continues its commitment with nearly € 97 million for higher education, research and innovation under the future plan contract 2021-2027.

With its partnership with the National Institute of Industrial Property, the Region has intensified the protection of the inventions of researchers and start-ups and its entrepreneurial dynamic has been recognized at the European level with the award of the EER1 label.

Finally, with 40% of the funds dedicated to research targeted on the themes of the Climate Plan, the Region intends to strengthen the mobilization of researchers in this field and their contribution to meeting the challenges of climate change.

“The Cité des Énergies project is a demonstrator of the dynamic that I intend to promote: to make Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur an exemplary region in terms of climate agreements, while structuring research, which is a priority for the region. Through transport, training, waste, water and energy, we have the capacity to act and drive a new model that will enable us to seize opportunities in terms of innovation and job creation while preserving our living environment,” declared Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region and President of Régions de France.

It is in this context that the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region is supporting the “Cité des Énergies” project, which aims to deploy a research, development and technology transfer center in the field of renewable energy and energy transition.

Within the framework of the State-Region Plan Contract 2014-2020, the SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region has contributed 2.6 M€ to the co-financing of the BIAM building.

¹ European Entrepreneurial Region