FONDATION POUR LA RECHERCHE STRATEGIQUE

Their core work

FRS is a French independent think tank specializing in defence, security, and strategic affairs research. They provide policy analysis on EU foreign policy, security and defence policy, space security, and conflict management. Their work bridges academic research with actionable policy recommendations for European institutions and governments, covering both traditional security domains and emerging challenges like space traffic management and space governance.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

FRS began its H2020 participation with security-focused work (MINDb4ACT, 2017), then expanded significantly into space security and EU strategic policy from 2021 onward. The recent projects show a clear dual track: one toward space governance (traffic management, surveillance, New Space regulation) and another toward EU foreign and defence policy analysis. This shift suggests FRS is positioning itself at the intersection of traditional security studies and the emerging strategic domain of space.

FRS is moving toward space security governance and strategic autonomy topics — expect them to pursue projects on European space defence, dual-use space technologies, and geopolitical dimensions of the space economy.

How they like to work

FRS operates as both a project leader and an expert contributor, having coordinated SPACEWAYS while participating in two larger consortia. With 45 unique partners across 17 countries from just 3 projects, they work in broad, multi-national consortia typical of policy research. This wide network suggests they are well-connected across European policy and research communities and comfortable integrating into diverse teams.

Despite only 3 projects, FRS has built a remarkably wide network of 45 partners across 17 countries, indicating they participate in large pan-European consortia and are well-embedded in the EU security and space policy research community.

What sets them apart

FRS stands out as one of France's leading independent strategic research foundations, combining deep expertise in traditional security with growing authority in space governance — a rare combination. Their ability to coordinate space policy projects (SPACEWAYS) while contributing to major EU foreign policy studies (JOINT) makes them a valuable partner for anyone working at the intersection of security, defence, and space. Based near Paris, they have direct access to French and European defence policy circles.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SPACEWAYS
  FRS coordinated this project on European space traffic management — their largest grant (EUR 278K) and a signal of their growing authority in space governance.
• JOINT
  A major EU foreign and security policy research project (2021-2024) addressing how member states can strengthen collective external action in a contested geopolitical environment.