In Lab Engineering
What if technology platforms became innovation hubs open to collaboration with businesses?
The In Lab Engineering call for projects, launched by the University Innovation Hub, aims to support the sustainable development of the local economy by fostering collaborations with startups and SMEs.
Since 2023:
- 2023: 3 winning projects, each receiving €50,000 in funding
- 2024: 2 winning projects, €145,000 each
- 2025: 3 winning projects, same funding
Following approval by the PUI Executive Committee (COMEX), a final session will be held in 2026. These sessions are organized by the CNRS on behalf of the Montpellier PUI.
Objectives
Research platforms as catalysts for innovation
Research institutions can serve as catalysts for innovation by making their know-how and expertise available to businesses. The goal is to overcome technological barriers, strengthen business competitiveness, and develop sustainable business models that generate financial returns for research units and platforms.
A range of services tailored to small and medium-sized businesses
The Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI) offers a range of customized services designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access the expertise of research laboratories and foster the creation of lasting partnerships between research institutions and businesses.
Establishment of innovation units
Within laboratories and research institutions, innovation units may be established under the authority of directors, with a focus on financial sustainability. Platforms may also expand their staff when demand—particularly from the private sector—warrants it. The call for proposals also extends to institutions wishing to recruit clinical research associates.
A concrete outreach to businesses
Proposed projects must demonstrate a concrete and sustainable opening of the platforms to businesses, as evidenced by an increase in contracts signed with industry partners over the course of the project.
Target audience
This program is intended for research units (UAR, UR, UMR), as well as technology platforms and service centers affiliated with the PUI’s research clusters and the departments of the FHU, the Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospitals, orthe Montpellier Cancer Institute, which are open to the broader socio-economic community and charge fees.
The project must therefore be led by one of the founding members of the PUI.
Allocated resources
Funding Allocation and Distribution
The total budget forthe In Lab Engineering call for proposals is €950,000 (excluding tax), spread over three rounds: 2024, 2025, and 2026.
For the third campaign (2026):
- Funding period: up to 18 months, with the eligibility deadline set for March 14, 2028.
- Amount: €124,000 (excluding tax) per project, broken down as follows:
- 1 fixed-term contract: up to €112,000 maximum, including all benefits, for 18 months
- Fees: €12,000 flat fee
Terms and Conditions
- The hiring for the fixed-term contract must take place in 2026.
- It is also possible to apply for additional funding from the Occitanie Region through the PRIO call for projects.
Process
- The organization identifies the PUI partner institution that will serve as the funding administrator, the employer of the platform engineer, and the administrator of the contracts secured by the engineer. This managing institution is the CNRS provided that it is the overseeing body for the organization, unless another overseeing body or institution has been delegated management authority for the contractual activities of this organization pursuant to existing agreements with one or more PUI partners. The structure’s scientific director must submit the completed and validated In Lab Engineering form to the Partnership and Commercialization Department of the managing institution for review and approval, no later than one week before the submission deadline.
- A panel of four reviewers from COMIN evaluates the applications in accordance with the “Schedule” and the “evaluation procedures” outlined below.
- The final decision on the award of the grant is made by COMIN in accordance with the schedule set forth in the “Schedule” section below.
- The CNRS allocates funding to the institution whose project has been selected. If the CNRS is not the supervising body, it transfers the funding to the designated supervising body.
Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses include the following:
- expenses for non-permanent staff (engineer, clinical research associate, engineering assistant, or laboratory technician);
- laboratory operations;
- small equipment.
Assessment Criteria
Submitted projects are evaluated by four COMIN members serving as rapporteurs:
- Two scientists working at a research facility
- Two experts from the field of commercialization and innovation
They are responsible for reviewing the proposals, assessing their eligibility, and ranking the applications. These evaluations are then forwarded by the CNRS to COMIN, which makes the final decision on which projects will be selected.
COMIN brings together key players in the innovation ecosystem, including:
- representatives from the founding institutions of the PUI;
- representatives from the recycling subsidiaries;
- the directors of the research clusters, or their representatives;
- invited scientific or technical experts, selected based on the projects under review.
Evaluation criteria
Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- the project's viability (out of 6 points);
- the platform’s ability to achieve financial sustainability by the end of the program period (out of 6 points);
- the commitment to ensure the initiative’s long-term sustainability beyond the funding program (out of 6 points);
- the scope of the project (0 to 2 bonus points).
Point to watch
State aid regulations require platforms to ensure that their economic activities do not exceed 20% of their total operations in order to qualify for a public aid rate exceeding 50%. This entails monitoring this “economic ratio” of the platforms by tracking machine usage time. Platforms must therefore be able to reliably report this data.
Application Form
The completed and signed AAP ILE 2026 application form.
Calendar
- Call for proposals opens: January 30, 2026
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Results announcement: May 2026
Project Implementation and Monitoring
Upon completion of the project, a report will be presented to COMIN in written form.
This report, submitted by the management of the holding entity, must specify, in particular:
- The use of the funds provided, as detailed in a financial report outlining the expenses incurred;
- The value of industrial contracts awarded under the project;
- The platform's contribution to the scientific reputation of the institutions it serves.
In addition, one year after PUI funding ends, the organization will be asked to provide a follow-up report to COMIN to assess the program’s impact, particularly in terms of employment and the platform’s performance.
Submission Guidelines
- The application form must be submitted in PDF format by the deadline to the following address: