An innovative project can lead to the registration of software, a patent, a license transfer, a start-up, a labcom or an industrial chair. One of Insmi's priorities is to work with local authorities, associations and the public sector to promote projects that are not necessarily part of a traditional commercial logic, but which have significant spin-offs for society.

The Innovation Department is at your service: insmi.innovation@math.cnrs.fr

Discover interdisciplinary research

Insmi raises staff awareness of the need to promote and protect software as a fundamental tool for mathematical innovation. In July 2024, Insmi and CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences (formerly InSHS) joined forces to offer a national training program (ANF) dedicated to free software. Aimed at all members of the two institutes, the training was designed to identify the actions required to obtain such software, as well as the obstacles that stand in the way. Find out more about the program and presentation materials.

Literary and artistic property protects artistic creations such as literary, musical, graphic and plastic works, as well as software and databases. Copyright applies to software, including preparatory design material: provided it is original, obtaining this right requires no formal registration. However, software is often registered with theAgence pour la protection des programmes. Specific texts concern the rights of database producers.

The purpose of industrial property is to protect and promote inventions, innovations and industrial or commercial creations. It includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications. Applications for these titles must be filed with the Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI).

Unlike many other legal systems, software is not in principle patentable under French law, unless it is incorporated into a technical device which is itself eligible for patent registration.

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The creation of a joint laboratory, prematurity programs, patent registration or start-up creation are all part of these innovation support schemes.

An innovation ecosystem

Research that promises innovation develops within an ecosystem that involves the Partnership and Technology Transfer Services (SPV) of the CNRS Regional Delegations (DR) and/or universities. These are natural intermediaries for the Pôles Universitaires d'Innovation (PUI), CNRS Innovation and the Société d'accélération du transfert de technologies (SATT).

TheAgence pour les mathématiques en interaction avec l'entreprise et la société (AMIES), a support and research unit of the CNRS, offers a range of services to support mathematicians in their relations with the non-academic world.

The CNRS prematuration program

Prematuration is the first stage in the process of transferring a technology, product, methodology or service to the market, with the creation of high value. CNRS supports innovation in its laboratories through its prematuration program, which aims to support the very early stages of development of emerging projects with high innovation potential. This program, coordinated by CNRS Innovation, is upstream of the missions of the SATTs.

Insmi supports access to this program for all employees of units of which the institute is co-supervisor, by disseminating information and providing assistance (recommendations and support) in the preparation of dossiers presented to selection committees. The average amount and duration of funded projects are in the order of €100-150k over a maximum of 18 months.

To submit an application, start by contacting the Institute's innovation department, which will validate it. Winning projects are supported by representatives of the various players involved in innovation and value enhancement (the Institute's Innovation Unit, DRE, SPV, etc.).

Presentation of the CNRS prematurity program