Call for Proposals: ANR’s Main Research Funding Opportunity (France)

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

The French National Research Agency (ANR) Generic Call for Proposals (AAPG) 2027 invites researchers and research-performing organizations in France to submit project proposals across all scientific disciplines. The program supports fundamental and applied research through five funding instruments, encouraging scientific excellence, innovation, international collaboration, and alignment with European research priorities such as Horizon Europe.

About the ANR Generic Call for Proposals (AAPG) 2027

The Generic Call for Proposals (Appel à Projets Générique – AAPG) 2027 is the flagship annual funding programme of the French National Research Agency (ANR). It is designed to finance high-quality research projects that advance scientific knowledge, foster innovation, and strengthen France’s national and international research ecosystem.

The programme supports research across all scientific disciplines and welcomes proposals from universities, research institutions, public organizations, private companies, and other research-performing organizations operating in France.

AAPG also contributes to France’s research strategy by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, international partnerships, and research excellence consistent with European initiatives such as Horizon Europe.

Program Objectives

The ANR Generic Call aims to:

• Support excellent fundamental and applied research.
• Encourage scientific innovation across all disciplines.
• Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Promote international research partnerships.
• Increase the global visibility of French research.
• Support early-career researchers.
• Foster collaboration between academia and socio-economic stakeholders.
• Contribute to national and European research priorities.

Research Areas

The AAPG accepts proposals across all scientific disciplines.

Applicants must select an appropriate scientific theme during submission based on the official ANR classification.

Research may include:

• Basic scientific research.
• Applied research.
• Interdisciplinary research.
• Collaborative research.
• International research partnerships.
• Technology development.
• Innovation-focused projects.
• Research addressing societal and environmental challenges.

Funding Instruments

The AAPG offers five funding instruments, each targeting different types of research projects.

JCJC (Young Researchers Programme)

Designed to support early-career researchers establishing independent research teams and developing innovative scientific projects.

PRME (Single-Team Research Project)

Supports research projects carried out by one research team working independently.

PRC (Collaborative Research Project)

Funds collaborative projects involving multiple French research teams from different institutions.

PRCE (Collaborative Research Project with Enterprises)

Supports partnerships between public research organizations and private-sector companies to promote research, innovation, and technology transfer.

PRCI (International Collaborative Research Project)

Supports bilateral international research collaborations between French research teams and partner organizations in participating countries.

Each funding instrument has its own eligibility rules, submission requirements, and evaluation process.

Who is Eligible?

The call is open to research stakeholders engaged in research activities in France.

Eligible applicants include:

• Universities.
• Public research organizations.
• Higher education institutions.
• Public research laboratories.
• Private research organizations.
• Companies engaged in research and innovation.
• Scientific institutions.
• Public-private research partnerships.
• Researchers from all scientific disciplines working in France.

Specific eligibility conditions vary according to the selected funding instrument.

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

The ANR Generic Call is one of France’s most important competitive research funding programmes because it:

• Supports scientific excellence across all disciplines.
• Encourages interdisciplinary research.
• Strengthens international cooperation.
• Promotes innovation and knowledge transfer.
• Supports emerging researchers.
• Builds stronger links between research and industry.
• Contributes to France’s leadership in European research.

It also helps research institutions compete successfully within broader European funding frameworks.

How the Funding Instruments Differ

Applicants should select the instrument that best matches their project.

• JCJC: Independent projects led by early-career researchers.
• PRME: Projects conducted by a single research team.
• PRC: Collaborative projects involving multiple French partners.
• PRCE: Research partnerships between academic institutions and companies.
• PRCI: Bilateral international collaborative research projects.

The selected funding instrument cannot be changed after submission.

Application Process

The application process follows several structured stages.

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Funding Instrument

Applicants must:

• Choose one scientific theme.
• Select one funding instrument (JCJC, PRME, PRC, PRCE, or PRCI).

These selections remain fixed throughout the evaluation process.

Step 2: Prepare the Initial Submission

Depending on the funding instrument, applicants prepare:

• Online project characterization form.
• Curriculum vitae (CVs).
• Additional required documents.

For example, PRCE projects initially require only the online characterization form and CVs.

Step 3: Eligibility Review

ANR reviews submissions to verify eligibility and compliance with programme requirements.

Eligible projects proceed to the next evaluation stage.

Step 4: Full Proposal Submission

Applicants invited to continue must prepare and submit a complete research proposal with detailed scientific, technical, financial, and administrative information.

Step 5: Scientific Evaluation

Expert panels evaluate proposals according to:

• Scientific quality.
• Innovation.
• Methodology.
• Feasibility.
• Expected impact.
• Relevance to the selected scientific theme.

Step 6: Rebuttal Stage

Project coordinators may respond to expert evaluation reports during the rebuttal process where applicable.

Step 7: Funding Decision

Following final assessment, ANR announces funding decisions.

For PRCI projects, funding decisions are made jointly with the participating international funding agency, with each organization financing its national research teams.

Evaluation Criteria

Although criteria vary slightly by funding instrument, proposals are generally assessed based on:

• Scientific excellence.
• Originality and innovation.
• Quality of research methodology.
• Project feasibility.
• Competence of the research team.
• Expected scientific, societal, and economic impact.
• International collaboration (where applicable).
• Alignment with the selected research theme.

International Collaboration

The PRCI funding instrument supports bilateral international partnerships.

Key features include:

• Joint proposal preparation.
• Coordinated submission with partner agencies.
• Joint scientific evaluation.
• Separate funding for national research teams by their respective funding agencies.
• International scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Applicants should carefully follow the requirements established by both ANR and the partner funding agency.

Application Tips

To prepare a strong proposal:

• Select the most appropriate funding instrument.
• Choose the correct scientific theme.
• Demonstrate scientific originality.
• Clearly explain expected research impact.
• Build strong interdisciplinary collaborations where appropriate.
• Follow all ANR formatting and submission requirements.
• Prepare realistic work plans and budgets.
• Review the official call documents carefully before submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Selecting the wrong funding instrument.
• Choosing an inappropriate scientific theme.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Missing submission deadlines.
• Ignoring eligibility requirements.
• Providing weak methodological justification.
• Failing to explain the project’s scientific contribution.
• Overlooking instrument-specific requirements for international collaboration.

Careful preparation and compliance with ANR guidelines significantly improve the quality of an application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ANR Generic Call for Proposals (AAPG)?

It is the French National Research Agency’s flagship annual funding programme supporting high-quality research projects across all scientific disciplines.

Who can apply?

Researchers, universities, research institutions, companies, and other public or private organizations conducting research activities in France may apply, subject to instrument-specific eligibility requirements.

What funding instruments are available?

The programme offers five instruments:

• JCJC
• PRME
• PRC
• PRCE
• PRCI

Each supports different types of research projects.

Can international collaborations be funded?

Yes. The PRCI instrument specifically supports bilateral international collaborative research projects.

Can applicants change funding instruments after submission?

No. Once the scientific theme and funding instrument are selected, they remain fixed throughout the evaluation process.

How are proposals evaluated?

Proposals undergo eligibility screening, scientific peer review, panel evaluation, and, where applicable, a rebuttal stage before final funding decisions.

Does the programme support early-career researchers?

Yes. The JCJC instrument is specifically designed to support early-career researchers establishing independent research careers.

Conclusion

The ANR Generic Call for Proposals (AAPG) 2027 is one of France’s premier research funding opportunities, supporting innovative projects across every scientific discipline. Through multiple funding instruments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong international engagement, the programme strengthens French research excellence while advancing scientific discovery, technological innovation, and solutions to global societal challenges. Researchers and institutions are encouraged to carefully select the most appropriate funding instrument, prepare high-quality proposals, and follow the official ANR guidelines to maximize their chances of success.

For more information, visit French National Research Agency.