PSL-Valorisation, the Qlife Institut Convergences and the Institut Carnot IPGG Microfluidics launch the 2025 call for “Prematuration” projects
Proofs of concepts, prototypes, market research, business creation, transfer of results and knowledge to the socioeconomic world… This call is open to all PSL research teams, and its aim is to select innovative projects with strong socioeconomic potential. All disciplines and areas of application are eligible, from engineering to humanities and social sciences or design, and from health to energy or arts & culture.
, Convergences and are joining forces to support up to 10 innovative projects with high socioeconomic potential. This call is open to any project involving one or more PSL research teams (with external partners , if the case arises), and covers all disciplines and all areas of application.
The call for projects is funded jointly by PSL-Valorisation, the PSL-Qlife Institut Convergences and with support from the Institut Carnot IPGG Microfluidique; it will draw on funding awarded to PSL from the Fonds National de Valorisation (PIA - France 2030),will fund up to ten innovative projects, covering all fields of application and originating from all disciplines and communities within ̳, including:
- One project in the field of quantitative biology, supported by Qlife, aimed at start-up creation (or at partnerships with existing start-ups),
- One project involving at least one of the following fields: humanities and social sciences, design, arts, and/or aimed at applications in the field of creative and cultural industries,
- A project aimed at making a direct impact on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (see, for example, )
- Other projects in any field and involving any mode of technology transfer (start-up, licensing, etc.).
The purpose of this funding is to prepare and facilitate the transfer of knowledge, results or inventions from the research teams involved, in order to promote economic and/or societal impact. Each selected project will receive funding up to €100,000 for a maximum of 18 months (exceptions are possible regarding the duration or the funding amount, for projects with special needs).
Selected projects within the scope of will be eligible to additional funding from the Institut Carnot.
Funding that is awarded is to be used for proofs of concept, technical, economic or legal studies (intellectual property, regulatory issues). It may cover expenses concerning :
- recruitments
- equipment (whatever the depreciation period),
- operational costs (e.g. consumables),
- external contracting for technical services,
- market research,
- specialized coaching (business, legal, etc.),
- training
- intellectual property (patentability study, freedom to operate, etc.).
Regarding the project funded by Qlife, expenses must primarily be allocated to the project's human resources. The funding of market studies, specialized coaching, and intellectual property is not eligible.
This new call for pre-maturation projects follows the continuity of calls published since 2018, which have enabled the launch of 65 high-level interdisciplinary projects with diverse objectives. These include water treatment, data analysis related to rare diseases, immuno-oncology, textile recycling, the development of a prototype for analyzing painted artworks, the production of thermal batteries for building electrification, and a decentralized factoring protocol using blockchain technology.
Selection process
The selection of projects will be overseen by the PSL-Valorisation team, coordination with the Qlife steering committee.
Projects will first be reviewed by 2 independent specialists, chosen for their expertise in the relevant fields ; they will then be assessed by a Selection Committee, taking the following criteria into account:
- Scientific and technological quality (where applicable)Innovative character and added value added in relationwith respect to the state of the art
- Socioeconomic impact, transfer potential, identified markets
- Technical and economic feasibility (resources, calendar, environment, partnerships)
Contacts are possible and may be organised between project teamspromoters and members of the selection committee to discuss their applications.
Provisional Schedule
February 21, 2025: Publication of the call for projects.
February–March 2025: Information sessions for all PSL researchers and technology transfer officers, held via videoconference:
• Friday, March 21 – 2:30 PM
• Wednesday, April 2 – 9:30 AM
• Monday, April 14 – 5:00 PM
April 28, 2025: Deadline for submitting a non-confidential summary and a list of three experts who can evaluate the submitted project.
May 12, 2025: Final deadline for application submissions – call for projects closes.
(Signatures from the unit director and the institution head may be provided within two weeks after the call closes.)
May–June 2025: Project evaluations.
July 2025: Announcement of results.
Provisional timeline
Applications must be submitted by e-mail to PSL-Valorisation by sending two files, in Word and PDF formats, using the template provided, which can also be obtained from the technology transfer services of PSL institutions and schools, or from PSL-Valorisation.
Please contact the technology transfer department in your PSL institution or PSL-Valorisation for further information and to inform us of your application.
