An ambitious research and innovation policy 

Institut 3IA Côte d'Azur named IA Cluster

The Institut 3IA Côte d'Azur, labeled in 2019, has been officially labeled an IA Cluster as part of the national Artificial Intelligence strategy launched in 2018. Over the period 2024-2030, research and training partnerships will be strengthened with various international players, notably in Europe as part of the “Ulysseus” alliance of European universities in Canada, Japan, Brazil, the United States and India.
Moreover, based in Europe's largest Technopole and in an attractive region, the Institut 3IA Côte d'Azur benefits from the support of a dynamic industrial AI ecosystem, which attracts new companies every year. Indeed, regional companies are actively supporting this second phase of the project, dubbed “3IA Côte d'Azur 2030”, by announcing a provisional investment of 75 million euros over 7 years. These funds will be used in particular to set up collaborative research contracts, create industrial chairs, finance PhD contracts, and develop AI training courses. 

Med'innov: an ambitious scheme to support high-potential innovation projects

Supported by Université Côte d'Azur and Université de Corse, PUI MED'INNOV coordinates and expands innovation initiatives in the Côte d'Azur and Corsica. By bringing together the major players in the innovation ecosystem, it facilitates the deployment of a multi-impact strategy, in line with the national ambitions of the Plan d'Investissement d'Avenir France2030. 
From project identification to the creation of innovative companies, via training and financing for project leaders, everything is done to consolidate cooperation, stimulate the emergence of innovative programs and thus strengthen the competitiveness of the region. 

The Pôle Universitaire d'Innovation (PUI) MED'INNOV is continuing to promote innovation, and is launching two new calls for projects aimed at researchers and companies wishing to contribute to economic development while adding value to the Corso-Azuréan region.

• The “Recherche Partenariale” call for projects is designed to initiate long-term partnerships between research structures and companies, through the co-financing of 12-month research projects.
• The “Pre-maturation” call for projects enables a team of researchers to provide analytical or experimental proof of conception of an innovation with a view to commercialization and transfer (funding between 6 and 12 months).
   

Nucleate UniCA, to encourage students' biotech innovations

Nucleate France UniCA is a program that helps life science students build their careers, opening doors to the private biotech sector and innovation ecosystem. Founded at Harvard University, Nucleate rapidly extended its influence across the United States, Europe and Asia, and the 1st French branch was created at Université Côte d'Azur, building solid bridges between Université Côte d'Azur and the private sector.

Science with and for Health” label 

Sharing science and research with the Côte d'Azur region is the aim of the “Science Azur” project run by Université Côte d'Azur and its partners, which was awarded the “Science with and for Society (SAPS)” label by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research in June 2024. This 3-year label comes with 720,000 euros in funding, and in particular enables the implementation of scientific mediation initiatives aimed at the public on the Côte d'Azur. The aim of this label is to enable the majority of citizens to distinguish between knowledge and belief, to learn to think critically in the face of misinformation, and thus to be able to make informed decisions independently.