Higher education & research in France, facts and figures
Every year since 2007, the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation publishes its study to review developments and outcomes in the French system. It is presented in two chapters: (1) students and higher education and (2) research and innovation. No time to read the 147-page report? We have prepared a quick digest with a focus on biotech! We encourage you to browse through the comprehensive website of the study, available in French and in English.
Scientific production in France – publications and intellectual property
France remains the 13th country with the most scientific publications (all disciplines combined), but its international audience has declined. This decline is measured by looking at the share of French papers in the references cited by researchers in other countries. However, France ranks second behind Japan for publication involving companies, which totals 11,8% of all scientific papers produced by French teams (for a world average around 7%).
French life science publications are particularly specialized in 6 areas: haematology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, microbiology and neuroscience. The impact of papers in haematology is particularly high (20% above the international average).
Regarding patents, France ranks 7th. The proportion of patent families involving an academic institution are particularly high in biotech (53%) compared to other fields. In biotech and pharma, over 10% of patent applications are filed jointly by a company and an academic partner.
Gender equality in research is still a concern
In order to reflect gender equality accurately across the R&D ecosystem, the study allows a wide definition for the terms « researcher » and « research personnel ». Academic and non-academic research environments, as well as different roles both pure research and support positions, permanent and temporary, are taken together. In 2023, women represented overall 45% of research support personnel but only 31% of researchers, and only 23,6% of researchers working in companies whose R&D is conducted in France.
The percentage of women working as researchers is however much higher in life sciences and health, indeed 54,9% of INSERM researchers are women. The same trend is visible in industry, for example 63% of researchers in the pharmaceutical industry are women.
Masters and PhD diplomas offer good opportunities for career development
The survey only covered 2013 master’s graduates who did not continue their studies nor undertake further studies within two years following graduation. The graduates in this situation represented 38% of all master’s graduates. Thirty months after graduation, 92% of master’s graduates in science, technology and health were employed, earning a median salary of 2,000€. Among them, 73% worked for a private company and 15% in the public sector. The remaining graduates worked for associations (6%), public companies (3%), or other types of employers (3%).
In 2024–2025, there were 13,081 PhD students in life sciences, and 3,362 PhDs were awarded in this field, representing 20% of all PhDs awarded in France. Around half of life science students finished their PhD viva within the recommended 40 months or less.
Across all fields of study, 91% of PhDs were in employment 3 years after graduation, the vast majority full time (94%) and 74% in a public or private research role. Job stability was lower in life sciences (64%) compared to the other scientific fields combined (80%). International PhDs who graduated in France had similarly good career prospects, 90% were in employment 3 years after graduation, 6 in 10 of them in France, 54% of them in the private sector.
Three years after graduation, life science PhD graduates were more likely to work in academia compared to graduates in other scientific fields (55.8% versus 40.1%). They were also more likely to work in the public sector outside academia (12% versus 5%). By contrast, a smaller percentage worked in private R&D (18.8% versus 40.5%). The amount of graduates working in the private sector outside of R&D were similar in the two groups (13.3% and 14.4%, respectively).
A focus on private R&D activities in the biotechnology sector
The overall research effort is highly sustained by the private sector, who executes 66% of the research activities conducted in France, spending 40,6 billion euros all disciplines combined. Pharma is a significant contributor to R&D, accounting for 7% of the total private internal R&D expenditures. The contribution of French companies to R&D is encouraged by fiscal advantages such as the Crédit Impôt Recherche, which benefitted a total of 23 526 companies in 2023 (all industrial sectors combined).
Biotech companies account for 14% of companies with R&D activity in France, and among them, 69% are specialized in R&D meaning that they devote at least 75% of their internal expenses to R&D. The majority of these companies are small (employing 20 people or less), and only 11% employ over 250 people. Despite involving just 6% of biotech companies, pharma remained the biggest investor, accounting for 40% of the total biotech R&D expenditure. This investment is, however, in decline compared to 2022, where the proportion stood at 46%.
The data presented below results from 12 000 companies included in the survey, all industrial sectors combined.
Generative AI was used to improve clarity in places, but not to select information from the Ministry’s report or to generate any content.
Save The Date for Forum Biotechno SUD in Marseille!
The 2026 theme is “Bench to Career”: from research to real-world opportunities – where science, innovation and careers meet!
The Biotechno Forums have been our flagship events for over 25 years, made to connect young scientists, biotech professionals, companies, and a supportive ecosystem of partners! We are happy to continue the tradition in Marseille with the 5th edition of Forum Biotechno Sud, brought to you by the Bio’M association – a valued member of Réseau Biotechno.
After a successful 2025 edition brought together 300 participants, 100 partners and investors, inspiring speakers and animated discussions, we are looking forward to welcoming you this year in Marseille’s World Trade Center on the 9th of December 2026!
Join us and enjoy:
- Connections with start-ups, industry, institutions and ecosystem players
- Career insights and conversations with professionals
- Opportunities to meet peers, collaborators and future partners
- A full day to explore what comes next beyond the bench
Whether you’re a Master’s student, PhD candidate, postdoc, early-career researcher, life science professional, or simply interested in life science careers, Forum Biotechno Sud is for you! Save the date and stay tuned for registration, program, speakers and partner announcements.
Interested in becoming a partner or getting involved in the 2026 edition? Reach out to contact@biotechnosud.com
More information at: www.biotechnosud.com
Biotech Day is coming to Strasbourg!
The NGB for “Nouvelle Génération des Biotechnologistes” association, founded by ESBS students and a member of Réseau Biotechno, brings you Biotech Day 2026!
On the 10th of December 2026, this event will bring together students, companies, researchers and partners to discuss scientific advances, industrial applications, and the challenges in the field! Registration is free but mandatory.
Call for posters :
All PhD students in biotechnology and related fields, not only those based in Strasbourg, are welcome to participate in the poster session! The three best posters will win prizes.
Apply here.
PhDTalent Career Fair is back!
The PhD Talent Career Fair 2026 will take place of Tuesday 3rd of November at the Maison Internationale de la Cité Universitaire de Paris. It is the world’s largest career fair, dedicated to connecting PhD students / graduates and companies in search of highly qualified scientific talent. This year, over 5000 doctoral students and over 100 companies will participate!
PhD students and graduates, register for free now! Remember to book your speed-meetings before the end of October!
As a partner, we are delighted to support BioFIT Event and MedFIT Event!
Join events in Marseille on December 10th and 11th, 2026 for the joint edition of Europe’s leading partnering conventions dedicated to innovation in the Life Sciences and HealthTech sectors!
- Opportunities for strategic collaborations with over 1,300 international delegates
- An inspiring conference programme with 100 international speakers
- A dynamic exhibition area with 160 exhibitors
- Presentations of innovative projects
Important deadlines:
• Tomorrow, 1 October: Last day for Regular registration
• 29 October: Final deadline to book an exhibition stand
Thanks to our Réseau Biotechno partnership, take advantage of an exclusive 20% discount on registration for our members – to be used before registration. For more information, and to receive your discount code, please get in touch with your contact in our organisation.
Toulouse White Biotechnology Smart Up Ventures
A programme for early-stage industrial biotech founders
Are you an early phase industrial biotech founder? Join this contest to win a free customized acceleration program, at the heart of a strong biotechnology ecosystem. Ten laureates will be selected, make sure to apply before October 5th!
TREMPLIN – Forum carrière du doctorat
Paris Saclay University hosts their first PhD career forum. Students, PhD students and PhD graduates will meet companies and discover career opportunites through workshops and roundtables. Register for free to attend!
Innovative Therapies Days
This international symposium brings together academic researchers, clinicians, industrial partners and innovation actors involved in the development of innovative therapies
Journée Collaborative Lyon Biopôle
This collaborative day aims to bring together experts (clinicians, academics and industrial professionals). How can we work together to transform today’s challenges into opportunities in healthcare? Event in French.
Fête de la Science
The French Ministry for Education, Research and Space hosts “Fête de la Science”, with this year’s theme being “Saveurs savantes” loosely translated as “Expert flavors”. Check out hundreds of free scientific events, mostly held in French.
DU GBM is a certifying qualification, designed to equip you with both knowledge and a strong network in Valorization of Biomedical Research, Innovation and Data.
This training programme is dedicated to biomedical students and research personnel (scientists, clinicians, and support staff) who want to learn the social, economic and regulatory frameworks required for innovation in the biomedical field. Discover how to manage innovative projects and bring the latest biomedical advances to the market and to patients. The three sessions cover topics such as private-public research partnerships, valorizing data, and creating an innovative start-up.
- Session 1: 13th to 15th of January 2027 in Paris
- Session 2: 25th to 29th of January 2027 in Paris
- Session 3: 16th to 19th of March 2027 in Paris
