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The pre-maturation programme

In 2015, CNRS set up a pre-maturation programme aimed at detecting and then supporting the early technological development stages of emerging projects with high innovation potential. This support consists of technical and financial assistance to help such projects reach TRL level 3 (analytical or experimental proof of the project's main functions and/or characteristics of its concept). The winning projects are supported by a team made up of representatives of various CNRS departments and also partners involved in the valorisation of the Institute's research results such as the CNRS's Business Relations Department (DRE) and Partnership and Technology Transfer Department (SPV), CNRS Innovation and the Institute's own internal Technology Transfer Unit.

This programme has been intentionally positioned ahead of the work carried out by CNRS Technology Transfer Companies (SATTs). At the end of the 12 to 18 months of support, the financed projects are then supported by a SATT in the context of a maturation project. Pre-maturation enables possible obstacles that could block the implementation of the innovation to be identified and put right. All project proposals made by researchers, academics or engineers working for CNRS Informatics research units are eligible. Project leaders are invited to submit their projects to CNRS Informatics Technology Transfer Units by one of the four 2021 deadline dates:

  • Deadline date 1 for CNRS Informatics to receive applications: February 26th 2021
  • Deadline date 2 for CNRS Informatics to receive applications: April 30th 2021
  • Deadline date 3 for CNRS Informatics to receive applications: June 25th 2021
  • Deadline date 4 for CNRS Informatics to receive applications: October 1st 2021

The evaluation process for submitted projects has 3 phases:

  • Phase 1: the submitted projects are evaluated by the Institute;
  • Phase 2: projects which are pre-selected by the Institute are evaluated by a CNRS Scientific Committee;
  • Phase 3: projects selected by the scientific committee are then submitted to a steering committee made up of representatives from the CNRS and the socio-economic sphere which interviews the project leaders. All projects which are finally selected will receive funding and will be launched straight afterwards.