Start in France 2026

Start in France

2026 Application
Program information

The Start in France program is organized by the Office for Science and Technology (SST) of the Embassy of France in the United States, with the support of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

This program aims to introduce selected laureates to the French innovation ecosystem and allow them to benefit from France’s expertise and dynamism in this field. Through Start in France, laureates will be able to assess France’s attractiveness in terms of innovation and research, as well as identify relevant support programs and mechanisms for their potential development.

All the information on the program can be found on Start in France program - La Synapse

Fees

There are NO filing fees.

In the event of selection, travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the winners.

Eligibility

The Start in France program is open to PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, scientists, engineers, professors, entrepreneurs, and others carrying out an innovative project and wishing to explore the French ecosystem with the possibility of developing their entrepreneurial venture in France. The project must be supported with a proof of concept.

To be eligible, candidates must reside in the United States, and the project must not be carried by a startup incorporated in the United States at the time of application and participation in the program.

No age or nationality restrictions apply.

Application Guidelines:

All fields marked with an asterisk * are required. You will not be able to submit your application until all required items are complete.
You do not need to complete this application in one sitting. To save your response, click SAVE located at the bottom of the page. You will be able to access any work saved during your next session. To submit your application, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click SUBMIT. Once you submit your application, you cannot make changes to it.
Applications will be open from January 5, 2026 to March 31, 2026 12pm EST.

Additional Tips:

- Prepare answers to longer questions ahead; you can copy and paste information into all text boxes,
- Prepare required documents and save them in PDF format,
- Required Documents: CV of the participant, passport copy

Please consult the website la-synapse.com for more information.

If you have any questions or difficulties during the application process, feel free to reach out to assistant.dc@ambascience-usa.org.

1. Applicant Profile
First name and SURNAME*

First nameSurname
Birthdate*

MoisJourAnnée
Date
Email*
exemple@exemple.com
Phone number*

country codePhone number
Nationality*
Current institution/Organization*
Position or Title*
Linkedin profile*
Website (if applicable)
Upload your CV (1 page both sided maximum)*

Cancelof
Upload your passport*

Cancelof
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

2. Project / Proof of concept information
Title of Your Research Project / Proof of concept*
Brief Description of Your Proof of Concept (300 words or less) *

0/300
If you have a product demo, please provide a link to a video here. This is not required to apply to the program.
What is the primary innovation or discovery that your project represents? (What problems are you solving)? (200 words or less)*

0/200
What is the level of development of your proof of concept or technology? (200 words or less)*

0/200
What is the current stage of intellectual property protection for your proof of concept? Do you hold any intellectual property, or do you have any patent application pending? (200 words or less)*

0/200
Where and how (fund) was developed your proof of concept or technology? (200 words or less)*

0/200
Are you currently involved with or hosted in an innovation or entrepreneurship center? Which one, if any? (100 words or less)*

0/100
Do you have any research partnerships (companies, hospitals, research centers and other institutions? (200 words or less)*

0/200
How does your research and your profile connect to France? (e.g., partnerships, previous studies, cultural ties, ..). (200 words or less)*

0/200
Have you previously collaborated with any French institutions or researchers? If yes, please provide details. (300 words or less)*

0/300
What is the total number of founders on your team?*
Have you already developed a start-up?*
if Yes, please specify
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

3. Scientific description of the Project / Proof of concept
Background and rationale of your project (500 words or less)*

0/500
Problem statement. (300 words or less)*

0/300
Scope and objectives, Disruptive innovation description, Purpose, Benefits. (1,000 words or less)*

0/1000
Possible international and industrial perspectives. (200 words or less)*

0/200
In what ways does the project leverage the strengths between the USA and France. (300 words or less)*

0/300
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

4. Product, markets, strategies
Briefly describe your market and target customer. (300 words or less)

0/300
How big is the potential market? (200 words or less)*

0/200
Competition - What is the international competitive landscape? (200 words or less)*

0/200
What is your development strategy in the next 3 years (growth, international development, etc) (200 words or less) ?*

0/200
Do you have a business plan or startup idea related to your research? If yes, please provide a brief overview. (200 words or less)*

0/200
What is your strategy for developing intellectual property from your research? (200 words or less)*

0/200
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

5. Immersion Stay Objectives
Why you? If there was one spot left, tell us why you should be selected. (200 words or less)*

0/200
What are your main objectives for undertaking this immersion stay in France? (200 words or less) *

0/200
How do you envision this internship aiding in the development of your product / technology? (300 words or less)*

0/300
How is the French market strategic for your project? What objectives would you like to attain in France in the next 3 years? (300 words or less)*

0/300
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

6. The Start in France Program
How did you hear about the Start in France program? If possible, please specify. (150 words or less)*

0/150
Fields of Activity and Geographic Locations

The Start in France program is open to all innovation projects. However, particular attention will be given to the alignment of the projects’ technological domains with the areas of excellence of the three French innovation ecosystems partnering with Start in France (descriptions available in the links below).

https://la-synapse.com/en/aix-marseille-provence/

https://la-synapse.com/en/grenoble/

https://la-synapse.com/en/toulouse/
Which ecosystem would you choose as your FIRST choice for your immersion week? (view the strengths of each ecosystem on our website)*

Aix-Marseille-Provence (Health/Medicine; Energy and environment industry; Aerospace and mechanical engineering; Maritime and Logistics industry; Creative, Digital and Electronic industry)Grenoble (Electronics and Digital Technologies; Energy; CleanTech; Medicine/Health )Toulouse (Aeronautics; Space; Industrial Biotechnologies- Health/Medicine; Artifical Intelligence)
Explain your FIRST choice. What are your expectations when choosing this ecosystem? (200 words or less)*

0/200
Which ecosystem would you choose as your SECOND choice (if any) for your immersion week? (view the strengths of each ecosystem on our website)*

Aix-Marseille-Provence (Health/Medicine; Energy and environment industry; Aerospace and mechanical engineering; Maritime and Logistics industry; Creative, Digital and Electronic industry)Grenoble (Electronics and Digital Technologies; Energy; CleanTech; Medicine/Health )Toulouse (Aeronautics; Space; Industrial Biotechnologies- Health/Medicine; Artifical Intelligence)
Explain your SECOND choice (if any). What are your expectations when choosing this ecosystem? (200 words or less)

0/200
Which ecosystem would you choose as your THIRD choice (if any) for your immersion week? (view the strengths of each ecosystem on our website)*

Aix-Marseille-Provence (Health/Medicine; Energy and environment industry; Aerospace and mechanical engineering; Maritime and Logistics industry; Creative, Digital and Electronic industry)Grenoble (Electronics and Digital Technologies; Energy; CleanTech; Medicine/Health )Toulouse (Aeronautics; Space; Industrial Biotechnologies- Health/Medicine; Artifical Intelligence)
Explain your THIRD choice (if any). What are your expectations when choosing this ecosystem? (200 words or less)

0/200
Additional information that you think might help the jury?

0/300
TO SAVE PROGRESS & RETURN LATER, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE APPLICATION.

7. Save and submit
Statement of understanding and GDPR*

I certify that all the information contained in this application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that withholding, misrepresentation, or false information will nullify my application and render me ineligible for the 2026 Start in France program. By submitting my application to the 2026 Start in France program, I accept that the personal data (surname, first name, email, CV, telephone number) indicated in my application to the 2026 Start in France program are: - subjected to confidentiality, kept by the organizers of the 2026 Start in France program and not transmitted to anyone unrelated to the program; - stored on the servers of the Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in the United States, based in the USA, and on the servers of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, based in France, for a period of 5 years, for the purposes of information, selection and assessment of the innovation programs of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and for information on the activities of the Service for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in the United States***.
*** It is reminded that, in accordance with the applicable regulations in France, notably European Regulation 2016/679, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and national provisions relating to computing, files, and freedoms, individuals whose personal data is collected have the right to access, rectify, delete, as well as the right to the portability of their personal data and the right to object, for legitimate reasons, to the information concerning them.
Thank you for your interest in

2026 Start in France !

Start in France 2026 Calendar :
- Application period: January 5 – March 31, 2026
- Selection interviews: Late April – early May 2026
- Announcement of laureates: Mid-May 2026
- Virtual training seminar: June 2026
- Immersion week in France within the host ecosystem: Between August 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026
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