Horizon Europe: A Key Opportunity to Strengthen Franco-Irish Collaborations

The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research recently published a mid-term review of France’s participation in Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. These results highlight France’s strong engagement and open promising avenues for further collaboration, particularly with Ireland.

France’s Dynamic and Growing Participation

With €4.8 billion secured, France ranks as the second-largest beneficiary of Horizon Europe, behind Germany and ahead of Spain. This reflects the active involvement of French researchers, companies, and institutions in the programme.

France also boasts one of the highest success rates in Europe, securing over a quarter of the requested funding, demonstrating the strength of submitted proposals. Moreover, France's share in the programme has increased compared to Horizon 2020, showing a sustained commitment to research and innovation.

Significant Contributions in Key Strategic Areas

France has made a strong impact in several key areas of Horizon Europe:

- Scientific Research: The European Research Council (ERC) ranks France 2nd in Europe, recognizing its ability to lead ambitious projects.

- Research Infrastructure: With €155.3 million secured, France actively contributes to Europe’s research landscape, including the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

- Digital Technologies, Industry & Space: France is the 2nd most-funded country in this field, driving advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, aerospace, and space exploration.

- Energy Transition & Sustainable Industries: France plays a key role in developing green hydrogen, offshore wind energy, and low-carbon solutions.

- AgriTech & Bioeconomy: France participates in numerous projects aiming to modernize agriculture with robotics, biotechnologies, and precision farming.

Franco-Irish Cooperation: A Partnership with Strong Potential

Ireland has made significant strides in Horizon Europe, securing  €894 million across 1,357 projects involving 505 organisations. This strong participation exceeds the country’s initial target. Notably, Ireland ranks 4th in the EU for SME involvement, underlining its strong capacity for applied research and industry-driven innovation.

France and Ireland share complementary strengths in research and innovation, with strong engagement in areas such as AI and quantum technologies, renewable energy, space and maritime industries, and AgriTech. By combining expertise, research capabilities, and industrial leadership, the two countries are well-positioned to expand their collaboration within Horizon Europe, fostering ambitious, high-impact projects that drive European competitiveness and sustainability.

Franco-Irish Cooperation within Horizon Europe: Four Illustrative Projects

Transport management in Europe is a complex challenge, requiring seamless coordination between various modes of transport, from ports and waterways to road networks. The SETO project aims to revolutionize this sector by developing an innovative digital platform that provides real-time access to essential transport and safety information. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), weigh-in-motion (WIM) solutions for heavy vehicles, and connected systems for carbon footprint estimation, SETO seeks to optimize transport operations while improving efficiency and sustainability.

One of the key advantages of SETO is its ability to reduce administrative burdens and streamline data flows for transport authorities and businesses. By enhancing real-time monitoring and management capabilities, the project contributes to making European transport more environmentally friendly and safer for all stakeholders.

Key Franco-Irish Collaboration:

Ireland: University College Dublin (UCD) coordinates the project and plays a crucial role in developing the digital platform. Research Driven Solutions Limited brings expertise in transport data analysis and innovation.

France: Université Gustave Eiffel specializes in infrastructure and new mobility solutions. CEREMA      (Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility, and Urban Planning) assesses the impact and optimization of transport solutions, while ATLANDES, a highway operator, provides real-world testing environments.

The Adra-e project is a European initiative dedicated to strengthening collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data, and Robotics. Funded under Horizon Europe, it supports the AI, Data, and Robotics Association (Adra) by fostering cooperation between researchers, businesses, and policymakers. The project aims to map existing AI initiatives, raise awareness about the impact of these technologies, and support the development of European regulations and standards. By promoting ethical, trustworthy, and sustainable AI, Adra-e is helping Europe become a global leader in responsible technology development. 

Franco-Irish Collaboration:

- France: Inria (National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology) coordinates the project, and fosters the crucial dialogue between scientific and industrial communities. CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) is also part of the consortium.

- Ireland: Dublin City University (DCU) contributes expertise in information and communication      technologies, while the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) supports research in data science and digital technologies, helping drive European innovation forward.

Through this extensive collaboration, Adra-e is paving the way for Europe to become a global leader in ethical and sustainable AI, data, and robotics.

The Marine Beacon project addresses a critical challenge in marine conservation: bycatch, the unintended capture of protected marine species such as dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, sharks, and rays. These accidental captures pose a severe threat to biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability. Marine Beacon, funded by Horizon Europe (2024-2028), aims to develop advanced tools and strategies to reduce bycatch and protect vulnerable marine life.

The project employs innovative monitoring technologies to better understand the distribution and behavior of marine species at risk. It also works closely with policymakers and fishing communities to ensure that mitigation solutions are both practical and widely adopted. By aligning with the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, Marine Beacon contributes to reducing and eventually eliminating accidental captures, promoting more sustainable fisheries in Europe.

Key Contributions from Ireland and France:

- Ireland: The Marine Institute (project coordinator) leads scientific research and policy recommendations, while ERINN Innovation focuses on stakeholder engagement and maximising the project’s impact. UCC is also a member of the consortium.

- France: Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) brings world-class expertise in fisheries management, biodiversity monitoring, and bycatch reduction strategies. Université de La Rochelle takes also part in the project.

By combining cutting-edge science with collaborative stakeholder engagement, Marine Beacon ensures that European fisheries evolve towards greater sustainability while preserving marine wildlife for future generations.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other digestive disorders, yet traditional diagnostic methods remain invasive, costly, and often inaccessible. The e-CAP project, funded under Horizon Europe, is introducing a groundbreaking alternative: a smart, ingestible capsule that provides real-time, remote monitoring of digestive health.

The e-CAP device is equipped with miniaturised sensors that collect key physiological markers and transmit data to a secure cloud-based platform. This enables healthcare professionals to diagnose and monitor digestive conditions without requiring invasive procedures or hospital visits. By leveraging AI-driven analytics, the project enhances diagnostic accuracy and improves treatment personalization, making gastrointestinal healthcare more patient-friendly and accessible, particularly in underserved regions.

Franco-Irish Expertise Driving the Innovation:

- Ireland: The Tyndall National Institute (Cork), one of Europe’s leading deep-tech research centers, leads the development of the smart capsule prototypes and plays a key role in communication and dissemination activities. Integer is responsible for developing the electronic components of the smart multi-sensing capsule, while EnteraSense contributes its expertise in sensor technology to enhance the capsule's capabilities. 

- France: The Institute of Image-Guided Surgery of Strasbourg (IHU Strasbourg) coordinates the project, specializing in minimally invasive digestive surgery and advanced medical imaging. Rhythm Diagnostic Systems (RDS, Strasbourg) develops the e-CAP e-health platform, ensuring seamless integration of real-time patient monitoring and analytics.

By merging connected medical devices with AI and digital health solutions, e-CAP is set to transform the landscape of gastrointestinal diagnostics, offering a faster, less invasive, and more efficient approach to digestive healthcare.

For more information or to explore potential partnerships with France in Horizon Europe, feel free to reach out:

Jean-Michel Portefaix - email: [email protected]

🇫🇷🇮🇪 Let’s innovate together for a more sustainable future! 🇫🇷🇮🇪