Philippe BAPTISTE, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space, Anne LE HÉNANFF, Minister in charge of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology, along with Bruno BONNELL, Secretary General for Investment, in charge of France 2030, are launching the 7th edition of the i-PhD component of the State’s Innovation Contests to support young researchers in their deeptech startup projects.
Every year, approximately 15,000 doctoral degrees are awarded in France. The quality of doctoral training makes young doctors a pool of cutting-edge scientists capable of solving complex scientific issues and leading entrepreneurial projects with significant potential impact for society. In this context, supporting new entrepreneurial vocations within academic research, encouraging and inspiring young researchers to start their own businesses based on research work, represents an undeniable potential for innovation in France and professional integration for young doctors.
Introduced in 2019 by the Government and operated on behalf of the State by Bpifrance, the i-PhD innovation contest is open to all young researchers with a deeptech business creation project related to their research work. The aim of this contest is to support the most promising profiles in structuring and developing their entrepreneurial projects. Through this competition, the State aims to enable rapid valorization of scientific discoveries for the benefit of citizens and contribute to strengthening French sovereignty.
In addition to the visibility offered by the Innovation Contest, each winner will benefit from an accompanying program to accelerate their project and develop their entrepreneurial skills in coordination with their laboratory and transfer structure.
The support cycle for the winners will begin in September 2026 and end in July 2027. It includes a training and co-development program combining individual coaching, group coaching, training on entrepreneurial topics, and collective seminars.
Winners will have privileged access to the deeptech ecosystem, allowing them to acquire new entrepreneurial skills and expand their professional network. This program also enables winners to join a community of young entrepreneurs involved in similar endeavors.
Participation in the contest is subject to the following cumulative conditions: – Being a doctoral student or young doctor; – Intending to valorize research results; – Leading a technology transfer project.
The application deadline is open from March 23, 2026, to April 30, 2026.
All information about i-PhD is available on the Bpifrance website: Innovation Contest i-PhD
Since 2019, the i-PhD contest has seen: – 234 rewarded winners – 50% of i-PhD winners who created a startup within 3 years after the program – 44 i-PhD winners who also became i-Lab laureates – €250 million raised by 25 former i-PhD contest winners
Discover the i-PhD winners from 2025.
To learn more about innovation contests and discover the 2025 innovation contest winners, check out the latest winners’ booklet.
