TLDR : The French government launches a call for projects to encourage digital transition and AI appropriation in the cultural sector. Projects, which can be led by individual actors, public, private, or mixed consortia, must stimulate artistic creation, enhance data, and ensure fair remuneration for rights holders.
Table of contents
As announced by Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, on November 26 during the 4th edition of "We Are French Touch," a gathering of cultural and creative industries, the call for projects "Digital Transition of Culture and Appropriation of Artificial Intelligence" was launched on May 16 by the Government as part of France 2030.
Cultural players, across all sectors (publishing, audiovisual, music, performing arts, video games...) face increasing pressure. Technological pressure on one hand, due to the rise of generative AI and the new usages it induces; and competitive pressure on the other hand, from global platforms whose models often escape the European legal and cultural framework.
As part of the acceleration strategy for cultural and creative industries (CCI) of France 2030, this call for projects responds to this tension through a targeted investment logic: encouraging the co-construction of technological solutions rooted in the realities of the French cultural sector. Although emphasis is placed on AI due to its strong innovation potential, it is not limited to this technology. Expected projects should stimulate artistic creation, enhance data, and ensure fair remuneration for rights holders – three axes at the heart of current debates on AI and intellectual property.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to individual actors, public, private, or mixed consortia, with a clear distinction of operational modalities:
- Bpifrance, through its French Touch platform, will operate entrepreneurial projects led by companies of all sizes;
- La Banque des Territoires will manage projects with a general interest purpose, led by public structures or mixed groups.
All projects must:
- present an eligible budget of at least €400,000;
- aim for a transition from TRL ≥ 4 (Validation in laboratory) to TRL ≥ 7 (Demonstration in an operational environment);
- be rooted in a logic of creating or appropriating a structuring cultural or technological asset.
Financial Support
The aid provided will consist of a grant and a repayable advance. In most cases, the grant share will be up to 60% and the repayable advances share at least 40%.
Timeline
The call for projects is open until June 2027, with four submission deadlines:
- October 28, 2025
- April 28, 2026
- November 25, 2026
- June 16, 2027
Submission of Application
Applications must be submitted exclusively on the Bpifrance submission platform.
Translated from France 2030 : Lancement de l'APP "Transition numérique de la Culture et appropriation de l’intelligence artificielle"
To better understand
What is the role of France 2030 in supporting cultural and creative industries?
France 2030 is a strategic plan launched by the French government to support digital transformation and innovation across various sectors, including cultural and creative industries. It aims to enhance France's competitiveness through targeted investments.
What does the transition from TRL 4 to TRL 7 mean in the context of this call for projects?
The transition from TRL 4 to TRL 7 means that the project should progress from concept validation in a laboratory (TRL 4) to demonstration in a real operational environment (TRL 7), indicating a significant advance towards commercialization.