The ANR is a research funding organisation. It was established by the French government in 2005 to fund research projects, based on competitive schemes giving researchers the best opportunities to realize their projects and paving the way for ground-breaking new knowledge. The role of the Agency is to bring more flexibility to the French research system, foster new dynamics and devise cutting edge-strategies for acquiring new knowledge. By identifying priority areas and fostering private-public collaborations, it also aims at enhancing the general level of competitiveness of both the French research system and the French economy.

The ANR supports the public and private-sector research community
Scientific departments and programmes

As part of a government initiative to reinforce long-term French competitiveness, a major programme called “Investments for the Future” ("Investissements d'Avenir") was launched at the end of 2009. The ANR is the operator for the research and higher education component of this programme, which covers 21.9 billion euros. Such a programme has a structuring and integrating purpose, and is part of a long-term and dynamic drive to transform higher education, research and innovation. These large-scale initiatives promoting excellence will strengthen France’s capacities for innovation and be a driving force in the dynamics of growth in the coming years.