Questions - Answers

What do competitive clusters do?

The mission of competitive clusters, as defined by the French State, is to enable the development of industrial activities and high-level jobs in order to consolidate and strengthen the region in its fields of excellence.

Clusters are meant to emphasize collaboration between three types of local players - public and private firms, training centers and research centers – so that they work together on joint R&D projects with international exposure.

When and how was Lyonbiopôle created?

Lyonbiopôle was founded on July 12th, 2005 following the call for projects that culminated with the Inter-ministry Committee on Regional Development and Competitiveness (CIACT) accrediting 67 competitive clusters.

Following a merger between two accredited clusters, there are currently 71 competitive clusters:

Lyonbiopôle is one of the 6 world clusters. It focuses on health, more precisely in the field of infectious diseases.

How is the Lyonbiopôle competitive cluster managed ?

Lyonbiopôle is managed by an association created at the cluster’s constituent general assembly on November 8th, 2005. The members of the cluster’s Board of Directors and Technical Group were also named at this assembly. These two bodies are composed of representatives of major corporate groups, SMBs and start-ups, training centers and research centers or laboratories, the founding members of the association.

Who provides funding for Lyonbiopôle?

Funding for projects accredited by Lyonbiopôle is provided by the firms participating in the projects, as well as by the French Ministry of Industry, local authorities, the European Commission and other organizations.

Lyonbiopôle’s management is handled by an association that receives subsidies

• From the private sector: contributions of founding members and members’ annual fees
• From the public sector: the Ministry of Industry, Regional Department of Industry, Research and Environmental Affairs (DRIRE), the National Research Agency and local authorities (Greater Lyon, Rhône-Alpes Region, Grenoble Alpes Métro and the Rhône and Isère County General Councils).

Can we measure Lyonbiopôle’s economic impact?

It is too early to do this.

What are the advantages of joining Lyonbiopôle?

Who can join Lyonbiopôle? What are the conditions for membership?

Any major international or national organization with significant involvement in a cluster project and the potential to develop a significant level of activity within the project may become a member of the association, subject to approval.

The conditions are as follows:

• Members must have an R&D and/or production and/or training activity located within the cluster’s geographical area that works on one of the research topics and in one of its fields of application.

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What are the cluster’s R&D topics?

The cluster's research topics - PDF 20Ko

How can I find partners and specific expertise to move forward in my R&D project?

Who decides on the accreditation of an R&D project?

Lyonbiopôle’s Board of Directors accredits projects seeking public funding once all applications received during the calls for projects have been reviewed.

In order to do this, the Technical Group analyzes each project in close collaboration with the funding providers concerned, completes an evaluation form and then submits the shortlisted projects for approval by the Board of Directors.