Simplify Access to Top Research Labs and Funding in the Paris Region
PRIME and its research partners have implemented PRIME Innovation, a program designed to streamline access to the best research and development teams in the Paris Region, to create innovative research projects, and to provide access to available funding.

The objective of the PRIME Innovation Program is to develop successful innovation strategies and connect companies with world-class technologies and research in the Paris Region, and the extremely fertile R&D ecosystem there. 

Program Access
PRIME Innovation is available to any corporation with French legal entity status and with an interest in launching innovative projects in the Paris Region. If your firm does not yet have a French presence, PRIME can help you create the appropriate legal entity for a modest fee.

Scope of Research
PRIME Innovation is well suited to meet complex technical challenges requiring a high level of expertise and sophisticated technologies. The program's initial focus areas for PRIME are Embedded Computing and Software Tools and Modeling domains. More domains will be available soon.
PRIME Innovation is not appropriate for companies seeking to outsource standard software development at a lower cost.

Process for Working with PRIME Innovation
 
Step 1: Research Team Identification
PRIME and its experts will help you and your organization contact and assess appropriate research lab(s) in your area of interest, choosing from the hundreds of advanced research labs in the Paris Region.

Step 2: Project Planning
Based upon the requirements of your organization and project, your technology challenges and your vision, the PRIME research team and PRIME will create a proposal outlining
- Research objectives and deliverables
- Project roadmap and proposed timeline
- Proposed research team organization and (as needed) outsourced R&D, a collaborative research program, and/or a joint lab
- Plan for knowledge and technology transfer to your company
- Detailed budget proposal

Step 3: IP negotiation and contract
With agreement on a project plan, PRIME will work with your organization and the selected R&D lab(s) to establish clear IPR (intellectual property rights) to govern interaction and IP exchanges among the parties involved.  PRIME will then help to negotiate, draft and facilitate execution of a formal contract between your organization and the chosen research institution(s).

This contact will usually include
- A detailed project description
- The nature of the Intellectual Property (IP) involved and IPR governing it
- Any necessary accompanying licensing models

Step 4: Funding
A key advantage of performing research with a French R&D institution is the availability of external funding. The PRIME Innovation program simplifies access to this funding, and in most cases, the research institution will co-invest in funded projects.  A typical investment could cover up to 20% of project total costs.

A huge advantage of the PRIME Innovation Program is eligibility for French government tax credits, among the most generous corporate tax credits in the world. Moreover, when companies re not required to pay corporate taxes, they can receive the equivalent in direct funding.

Further funding is also available by working with one of the Paris Region innovation clusters, with whom research institutions can propose funded collaborative projects, with grants becoming available after the first year of collaborative research.

Step 5: On-going Management and Communication
Day-to-day research project management can be handled by involved research institution(s), and/or by a representative of your company.  PRIME will help determine the best solution to optimize communication, creativity, schedule and technical synergies between partners to meet the needs of your project and organization.

During every phase of R&D programs in the Paris Region, PRIME is available to coordinate and facilitate communication, answer questions and address other concerns.