Taiwan–France industrial innovation partnership reaches milestone with launch of six joint R&D projects

　The MOEA led an official delegation on March 31, 2026 to France, announcing that the inaugural Taiwan-France joint call for R&D proposals has successfully resulted in six collaborative projects, with the second round of joint call launched in June 2026.  The collaboration has also facilitated the execution of a memorandum of understanding between Taiwan’s ITRI and Eutelsat, the global leading satellite communications operator.  Their partnership is expected to help Taiwanese companies gain access to the European low-earth-orbit satellite supply chain.  

　Based on the MOU on “Industrial Innovation R&D Cooperation Program” signed in 2025, Taiwan and France jointly launched the inaugural joint call for R&D proposals, jointly supported by the Industrial Development Administration and the Department of Industrial Technology under the MOEA, and Bpifrance.  The first round of joint call successfully invited ten submissions, with six representative cross-border collaborative projects selected.  The six selected projects focus on the key technological areas, including artificial intelligence, high-performance calculating, silicon photonics, advanced display technologies, and biomedical applications, which reflect both technological innovation and commercial potential.  

　In the field of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite and communications, the ITRI and Eutelsat signed the MOU focusing on their collaboration on supply chain partnerships, the connection of industrial ecosystem, and the R&D of crucial communication technologies.  In addition, they also join hands to develop 6G satellite communications standards, applications for low-earth orbit and geosynchronous equatorial orbit satellites and satellite broadband, which will strengthen Taiwan’s communication resilience and international market connectivity capability.  In the sector of drones, Taiwan is also discussing with leading European drone manufacturers on potential supply chain partnerships aimed at jointly developing future business opportunities.  

　The MOEA stated that Taiwan-France collaboration will continue and go further with the second round of joint call mainly for the proposals involving the sectors of non-PRC drone supply chains, semiconductors, robotics, space and low-earth-orbit satellites, communications, biotechnology and medicine, technology startups, circular economy, and offshore wind power.  By continuing to build collaborative platforms and align industry needs with technological resources, the two governments aim to assist Taiwanese enterprises in leveraging France’s strengths in technology, research and development, and market access, so as to jointly expand into international markets and forge a more secure and resilient global supply chain.  (Released 2026.04.02)  
/CCS