REGION NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

Their core work

Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a French regional government authority that co-funds research and innovation through European ERA-NET mechanisms, channeling regional budgets into transnational materials science and battery technology programs. As a public funding body, their role is to align regional innovation priorities with EU research agendas, particularly in advanced materials and green manufacturing. They also support SME innovation capacity building in South West France, bridging local businesses with European research networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest involvement (2015) focused on local SME innovation support — helping South West France companies improve their innovation management. From 2016 onward, the region pivoted decisively toward transnational materials research funding through the M-ERA.NET series, with M-ERA.NET3 (2021) adding battery technologies, circular economy, and Green Deal alignment. The shift reflects a move from local business support toward strategic participation in Europe-wide green industrial research funding.

Moving toward green materials and battery technology funding, closely aligned with EU Green Deal priorities — expect continued investment in sustainable manufacturing research calls.

How they like to work

Always a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with their role as a regional co-funding authority rather than a research performer. Their 69 unique partners across 37 countries are a result of ERA-NET consortium structures, which bring together dozens of national and regional funding agencies. Working with them means accessing regional co-funding for transnational research projects in materials and batteries.

Connected to 69 partners across 37 countries, almost entirely through ERA-NET funding networks. This unusually broad geographic spread reflects the pan-European nature of ERA-NET programs rather than bilateral research partnerships.

What sets them apart

As a regional authority, Nouvelle-Aquitaine brings something most research partners cannot: direct access to regional public funding that can co-finance transnational research projects. For researchers and companies in the Bordeaux region, partnering through this channel means potential access to matched regional funding. Their sustained commitment to the M-ERA.NET series signals reliable, long-term investment in materials research infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• M-ERA.NET3
  Largest funding commitment (EUR 203K) and most strategically aligned project — covers batteries, circular economy, and Green Deal, running through 2026.
• M-ERA.NET 2
  Six-year ERA-NET for materials research and innovation (2016-2022), establishing the region as a consistent funder in transnational materials programs.