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The CEA – a key player in scientific and technological research

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Published on 11 July 2025

Proactive in its commitment to upholding the scientific, technological and industrial sovereignty of France and Europe to safely secure the present and the future.

The CEA is a major research organisation working in the best interests of the French State, its economy and citizens. Thanks to its strong roots in fundamental research, it is able to provide tangible solutions to meet their needs in four key fields: 

  • Low-carbon energy (nuclear and renewable)

  • Digital technology 

  • Technology for medicine of the future 

  • Defence and national security 






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Building tomorrow's society today

Climate change, pandemics, geopolitical threats, shortage of raw materials, accelerated development of digital technologies.... We are living in a world facing major challenges in which science and technology have a key role to play.

Since its creation, the CEA has actively contributed to the scientific, technological and industrial sovereignty of France and Europe, helping to secure the present and the future.

At the crossroads of knowledge, technologies, markets, uses, industrial needs and public policies the CEA has adopted a highly original approach to research and innovation:

  • Relying on the alliance between science and technology, with a strong scientific component, in cooperation with academic partners, in France, Europe and worldwide, and a capacity to respond to the needs of industry in terms of innovation,
  • Benefiting from multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, with an ability to draw on, and combine, different areas of expertise, delivering breakthrough technologies and solutions,
  •  with a well-established experience of managing major projects, including research and technology infrastructures.


Drawing on its recognised expertise, the CEA is actively involved in setting up collaboration agreements with its various academic and industrial partners.

Considered an expert in its core skills, the CEA is fully integrated into the European research area (ERA) and continues to be a growing presence in the international arena.

The CEA is one of the world's top 100 innovators, according to the Clarivate ranking, which recognises the best-performing organisations in the field of innovation. It is also the leading French organisation in terms of patent applications in Europe according to the European Patent Office (EPO) 2024.


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Key figures for 2024


22 000 +

employees,
including 1,700 + PhD and post-doctoral students




6,4 billion

annual budget


Leading french organisation

registering the highest number of patents in France and Europe*


9

research centers



>260 start-ups

set up since 1972




  700+

industry partners




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Organisation

OUR SITES

The CEA boasts 9 research centres across France. It has built strong partnerships with many other research organisations, regional authorities and universities.  CEA sites across France


CEA OPERATIONAL DIVISIONS

The CEA features four operational divisions tasked with carrying out its research:

  • Energy Division 
  • Military Applications Division 
  • Technological Research Division 
  • Fundamental Research Division


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* Leading research organisation registering the most patent applications in France (INPI 2024 ranking), and the leading French research organisation registering the most patent applications in Europe (EPO 2024 ranking) 






Images credits  (from top to bottom) :  

  • Patchwork image 1 : © MS Beview - © P. Stroppa/CEA – © AdobeStock - © P. Stroppa/CEA - © P. Latron/LookAtScience-CEA
  • Patchwork image 2 © ILL © NASA GSFC © P. Stroppa/CEA
  • Patchwork image 3 © peshkova - Fotolia.com © L.Godart/CEA © A.Aubert/CEA © everythingpossible - Fotolia.com © A.Aubert/CEA
  • Patchwork image 4 © Getty © Soitec © monsitj - Adobe Stock
  • Patchwork image 5 © CEA © Naval Group © CEA