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UK-France research collaborations advance renewable energy and AI, securing major new funding
Last updated on Thursday 28 May 2026 at 12:55pm
Universities UK International (UUKi) has supported 43 UK-France research partnerships, delivering advances in renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and space technology. Projects have already secured significant follow-on funding, including being part of a successful Horizon consortium which has been awarded a €2 million (£1.7 million) grant.
The partnerships were funded under UUKi’s UK-France Science, Innovation and Technology Researcher Mobility Scheme and Pump-Priming Scheme, which supported UK universities in developing or strengthening research partnerships with French institutions. The schemes closed in March 2026.
Overall, the schemes have generated 10 submissions to Horizon Europe to date, with many more planned across the various pillars and funding streams.
One of these submissions is Coventry University’s collaboration with CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), supported under call one of the pump-priming scheme. This collaboration, alongside consortium partners, has recently secured a €2 million (approximately £1.7 million) grant from the Horizon Europe Joint Undertaking in Clean Hydrogen.
Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and Tactical Fund, the schemes were established following the UK-France bilateral research dialogue held in London on 29 February 2024. Thematic focus areas spanned energy transition and hydrogen; space and Earth observation; AI, including ethics; research security; and quantum.
Further projects carried out under the programme include:
- University of Nottingham partnered with University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM) to develop new tools to help future energy systems operate more efficiently, reliably and sustainably and to improve the way renewable energy technologies — such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydrogen-based energy storage — interact with electrical networks.
- University of Strathclyde collaborated with Université Paris-Saclay to explore human-in-the-loop processes to place people directly into the AI lifecycle, not as passive users, but as active contributors who can interpret results, provide feedback and shape system behaviour.
- De Montfort University, in partnership with GREMAN laboratory, designed small, efficient, lead-free devices that harvest energy from flowing fluids and vibrations, powering autonomous sensors without batteries or maintenance.
As well as securing additional funding, the projects have developed international collaborative networks, supported capacity building for early career researchers, and expanded both the visibility and capacity of international research funding within UK institutions.
On the French side, the Sophie Germain scheme has provided complementary funding for joint research projects on energy transition and hydrogen, space, AI and research security.
Demand for the schemes was high. Across all three calls for applications, the average acceptance rate was 31%, highlighting the ongoing need for research collaboration funding within the sector.
UUKi looks forward to further advancements in the UK-France research space as the 2026 bilateral dialogue takes place today (Thursday 28 May 2026).
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of UUKi, commented:
Over the last two years, we have been proud to support the research sector and our members in enhancing and growing their UK-France science and technology partnerships. Grant schemes like our pump-priming and researcher mobility schemes enable bilateral research collaborations to flourish at a pace and with an impact that may not otherwise have been possible. I look forward to seeing the continued success of our awardees.
Jamie Arrowsmith
Director, UUKi
Those involved in the schemes spoke to their impact and the partnerships they have helped build:
This scheme was incredibly valuable for us to engage with international partners. It is incredibly challenging to gain these opportunities and this made a dramatic difference to our understanding of French research culture and our exposure with a leading offshore renewable energy research partner in France. I am confident it will lead to increased opportunity going forward.
Grant recipient
This project has played an important role in reinforcing the partnership between our institutions. It builds on our previous collaboration on a Horizon proposal submitted in 2024 and has helped us continue developing a shared research agenda. The activities carried out under this grant have strengthened trust between the teams and laid a solid foundation for preparing new joint funding applications, including the Horizon Europe proposal we plan to submit together in the near future.
French partner of grant recipient
This project has laid a solid foundation for a long-term UK–France research collaboration on hydrogen governance and societal adoption. It has strengthened our partnership and provided a clear basis for developing a future Horizon Europe proposal.
French partner of grant recipient
The project has been very fruitful and particularly interesting in terms of developing interdisciplinary approaches to mobility, artificial intelligence, and public policy. The collaboration has provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives across different research domains. It was also an important moment to strengthen our relationships with both private and public partners in the fields of transportation and public policy connected to our institution. The activities carried out during the project have helped build a strong foundation for future collaboration and joint research initiatives.
French partner of grant recipient