INRAE

What INRAE does

INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement) is France's national public research institute for agriculture, food, and the environment, established on January 1, 2020 through the merger of INRA and Irstea. Operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Agriculture, the institute deploys over 12,000 staff across 18 regional centers in France and 14 research departments, plus international offices in Beijing and Uppsala. Its scientific mandate spans six thematic areas: agroecology, biodiversity, climate change and risks, bioeconomy, food and global health, and society and territories.

INRAE's core technical capabilities cover plant and animal biology, soil science, ecology, climate modeling, remote sensing via the CNES satellite partnership, agricultural phenotyping (including the RhizoNet high-throughput root phenotyping platform), methane emission reduction, anaerobic digestion, and circular economy solutions. Its product surface consists primarily of research infrastructure rather than commercial offerings: the HAL INRAE open-access publication archive, the Explore2 water management data platform for +4°C climate scenarios, the GAMAE serious games platform, and a suite of INRAE Applications research tools. Notable proprietary technical developments include the BEGES greenhouse gas assessment methodology (achieving a -9.5% emission reduction between 2019-2022) and circular economy solutions for water management developed over 30+ years with SUEZ.

INRAE's business model is that of a publicly funded research establishment. The primary revenue stream is government appropriation, supplemented by competitive European funding (Horizon Europe), national program awards (France 2030 PEPRs), and industry partnership revenue channeled through 5 Carnot institutes. Customer segments span government and public authorities (French ministries, EFSA, FAO), private industry partners (SUEZ, EDF, CNES, Vivescia Cooperative, IDENA, SIMV), academic and research institutions (WUR, SLU, CAAS, CSIC, NARO), and the broader agricultural sector through its policy-support mandate. The institute monetizes its research outputs through negotiated partnership agreements, technology transfer via Carnot institutes, open science publishing, and policy advisory services, rather than through commercial product sales.

Name

INRAE

Legal name

Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement

Website

https://inrae.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

INRAE is France's national public research institute for agriculture, food, and the environment, employing over 12,000 staff across 18 regional centers to deliver scientific research, policy expertise, and industry partnerships for government, academia, and private-sector partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Agricultural & Environmental Research Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF), Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• Environmental research services
• Food science research
• Public research institute
• Biodiversity research

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: INRAE is a French public research institution primarily funded through government allocation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Revenue comes from national research programs (France 2030), European funding (Horizon Europe), and institutional grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INRAE is France's national public research institute for agriculture, food, and the environment, conducting multi-disciplinary scientific research across 14 departments and 18 regional centers. It delivers open-science platforms (HAL INRAE archive, Explore2, INRAE Applications, GAMAE), collaborative R&D partnerships through 5 Carnot institutes, scientific expertise for public policy, and technology transfer to industry. Funding primarily comes from French government subsidies and European research grants, with outputs spanning scientific publications, patent families, and policy advisory services.

Product overview

INRAE is a French public national research institute (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement) created on January 1, 2020 through the merger of INRA and Irstea. The institute does not offer commercial products in the traditional SaaS sense. Its 'products and services' consist of research infrastructure platforms and open science tools: HAL INRAE (scientific publication repository), INRAE Applications (research apps), Explore2 (water management data platform), and the GAMAE serious games platform. These are research support tools rather than commercial offerings, organized around six thematic areas: Agroecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Risks, Bioeconomy, Food and Global Health, and Society and Territories. The institute operates 18 regional centers and 14 research departments across France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HAL INRAE Open archive repository providing access to INRAE's scientific publications, datasets, and academic literature produced by the institute's researchers in agriculture, food, and environment.
• INRAE Applications (Applis) Suite of research applications developed or hosted by INRAE to support scientific research activities in agriculture, food, and environment sectors.
• Explore2 Data and tools platform for adapting water management scenarios in France under climate change conditions, including +4°C projection scenarios.
• GAMAE Platform Serious games platform developed by UMR Territoires for research, public engagement, and decision-support purposes on agricultural and territorial topics.
• 5 Carnot Institutes (Industry R&D Partnership Network) Network of 5 Carnot-labeled research structures facilitating R&D collaboration with private sector partners across agriculture, food, environment, water, and bioeconomy sectors, including structured innovation domains and Challenge Innotech programs.
• Collective Scientific Expertise and Policy Support Services Official scientific expertise, prospective studies, and public policy support services delivered to French ministries, European agencies (EFSA, FAO), and public authorities on agriculture, food safety, environment, and bioeconomy issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 patent families generated through SUEZ partnership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Framework cooperation agreement signed to strengthen scientific collaboration in agriculture, food, and environment. With 50+ European projects and SLU as 4th European partner in co-publications, the 5-year agreement covers joint research projects, infrastructure sharing, training, and young researcher exchanges on sustainable agricultural systems, ecosystem resilience, global health, and bioeconomy.
• SUEZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026INRAE and SUEZ renewed their research partnership for 5 years to advance scientific innovation in water management, environmental protection, and climate resilience. The collaboration spanning 30+ years has produced 10 patent families, 8 doctoral theses, and 35 scientific publications. Focus areas include circular economy solutions, climate adaptation, and pollution monitoring technologies with expanded researcher mobility and shared research platforms.
• Gustave Eiffel UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2026First 5-year framework agreement focusing on water cycles, risk prevention, biosourced materials, soil artificialization, urban agriculture, and urban nature. Aims to consolidate joint expertise for public policy support through joint 'Research and Public Action' days.
• European Scientific Alliance for Agriculture and Food (ESAAF)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025European coalition of 6 research institutions formed to accompany transformation and strengthen resilience of European agri-food sector. MoU signed to structure coordinated European scientific voice on agricultural and food policies.
• University of Florida, ENVA, UVSQmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025LIA GRACE (Global Ruminant Adaptation to Climate and Epigenetics) studying effects of heat stress on ruminant health and performance, with epigenetic adaptation mechanisms using contrasting environments in France and Florida.
• FAOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025INRAE participates in FAO Science & Innovation Forum 2025. Philippe Mauguin discussed strengthening scientific cooperation on food security, nutrition, and animal health as part of the FAO-CIRAD-INRAE-IRD partnership.
• NARO (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2025Launch of RhizoNet international research network on plant genetic resources and advanced phenotyping technologies. Partners: INRAE, NARO, Wageningen UR, and Leibniz Institute. Aims to accelerate development of climate-adapted crop varieties through high-throughput root phenotyping.
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 20257 agreements signed with 4 major Chinese institutions: CAAS, CAS, CAU, and NAU. Includes renewal of 2 LIAs (BIPI and Wheat Genomics), Joint Linkage Call with CAS, MoU and LIA SURPH on plant phenomics with NAU, and framework agreement with CAU for future LIAs.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025Renewed 15+ year framework agreement to intensify cooperation in European programs, develop international initiatives, and strengthen science-policy interface. Collaboration covers animal and plant sciences, soil health, microbiome, social sciences, and agricultural technologies.
• IDENA (Innovation Développement en Nutrition Animale)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 20254-year framework for joint R&D on innovative animal nutrition. 10+ years of collaboration on natural solutions for animal health, farming performance, and reduced antibiotic use. Structured research and innovation valorization.
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 20255-year MoU to intensify exchanges on risk assessment, sustainable food systems, microbiome, and One Health. Aligns scientific research with European regulatory evolution through joint projects, foresight exchanges, expertise sharing.
• SIMV (Syndicat de l'industrie du médicament et diagnostic vétérinaires)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 20254-year partnership renewal on sustainable animal health. Includes smart animal health (sensors, AI, digital tools), vaccination observatory, and public-private co-innovation for early pathogen detection and new treatments.
• CGIARmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025New France-CGIAR action plan coordinated by CRAI involving INRAE for nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Supports climate change response and food system transformation.
• UniLaSallemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2025Partnership for agroecological, food, and energy transitions through research integration in education and development of European and international cooperation.
• CiradcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2025Tripartite agreement with Polynesia to strengthen research, innovation, and training for agricultural system transitions. Focus on food self-sufficiency, sustainable production, and territorial development.
• EDFmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 20255-year renewal on water and aquatic environment research. Covers hydrology, hydraulic modeling, aquatic ecology, hydrodynamics, and hydraulic infrastructure safety through Carnot Eau & Environnement.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 20245-year renewal for Earth observation satellite use, space biology, and nutrition-health research. Supports territory management, agriculture, forests, water resources, and natural risks through France 2030 PEPR programs.
• IFPEN (IFP Énergies nouvelles)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 20245-year renewal on biomass mobilization for bioeconomy, biotechnology, soils, and water resources. Co-piloting PEPR Bioproductions and contributing to carbon neutrality through soil research.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2024LIA on biomass and organic waste valorization, microalgae for energy, animal feed, fertilizers, and biostimulants production with Institut Agro.
• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024CSIC is INRAE's top partner in international co-publications and 2nd in European projects. Agreement covers Mediterranean climate adaptation, sustainable food systems, bioeconomy, circular economy, and genetic resources.
• Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Joint declaration on alternatives to pesticides through Franco-German seminar. Covers resilient crop varieties, sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and digital technologies for agricultural systems.
• IFCE (Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 20244-year renewal for equestrian sector research covering agroecological transition, natural resources, animal welfare, and economic performance.
• Embrapa (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2024Framework agreement renewal covering agriculture, livestock, forestry, environment, and natural resources for sustainable development knowledge.
• PREZODE InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2023INRAE leads this international initiative to prevent emerging zoonotic diseases. 2nd general assembly reviewed governance and partnerships with international organizations.
• ECOLAND 2 (China)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2023LIA ECOLAND 2 on ecosystem services from contaminated land renewed with University of Lorraine, Sun Yat-Sen University, and new partner South China Agricultural University. Focus on soil remediation and restoration.
• DST (Department of Science and Technology, India)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Cooperation agreement on food security, natural resources, agroecology, digitalization, and One Health through CEFIPRA.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Agroscope: Switzerland's federal research institute for agricultural sciences and food. Comparable scope to INRAE across crops, livestock, and sustainability, though smaller in scale and limited to Swiss research priorities.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency with significant agriculture, food, and environment research portfolios. CSIRO is comparable in scale (~6,500 staff) and operates with a similar public-good research mandate across multiple scientific domains.
• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas): Spain's largest public research institution covering all scientific domains. CSIC is INRAE's top international co-publication partner, with their 2024 agreement covering Mediterranean climate adaptation, food systems, and bioeconomy — overlapping with INRAE's environmental and agricultural scope.

Direct peers

• CIRAD: The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, INRAE's closest national peer. CIRAD and INRAE jointly operate a Beijing office and co-lead international initiatives on food security, animal health (FAO partnership), and tropical agriculture.
• EMBRAPA: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, one of the world's largest public agricultural research institutions. INRAE renewed its framework agreement with EMBRAPA in 2024 covering sustainable development, livestock, forestry, and natural resources — directly comparable scope to INRAE's mandate.
• Julius Kühn Institute (JKI): Germany's federal research institute for cultivated crops, covering plant breeding, plant protection, and agroecology. INRAE and JKI signed a joint declaration on alternatives to pesticides in 2024, with overlapping mandates in resilient crop varieties and sustainable agriculture.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR): The Netherlands' leading agricultural and food research institution with a global mandate very similar to INRAE's. INRAE and WUR have maintained a 15+ year framework cooperation agreement, with WUR being INRAE's primary European partner for plant sciences, soil health, and agricultural technologies.
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU): Sweden's primary agricultural and life sciences university with a research mandate directly parallel to INRAE's. The 2026 framework agreement between INRAE and SLU covers 50+ existing European projects and joint research on sustainable agricultural systems and bioeconomy.
• Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS): China's national agricultural research organization with comparable scale and disciplinary breadth. INRAE signed 7 agreements with CAAS and 3 other Chinese institutions in October 2025 covering phenomics, wheat genomics, and plant biology.

Emerging players

• IFPEN (IFP Énergies nouvelles): France's public research organization for energy, with which INRAE renewed a 5-year agreement in 2024 covering bioeconomy, soils, biotechnology, and water resources. Partially overlapping mandate in bioenergy and environmental research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/INRAE_France
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQxx5pTHLCoxjrr6VhLznRw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Inrae.France
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/test-science
• Instagraminstagram.com/INRAE

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about INRAE