NGI_FR

NGI_FR
Name	NGI_FR
Type	International research initiative
Founded	2019
Headquarters	Paris, France
Region served	France, Europe, Global

NGI_FR NGI_FR is a French initiative within the Next Generation Internet ecosystem focused on advancing internet technologies, policy and research. It operates at the intersection of digital rights, infrastructure, standardization and innovation, collaborating with European institutions, academic laboratories and civil society organizations. NGI_FR engages with actors across the European Commission, Conseil européen, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut national de recherche en informatique et en automatique, and assorted startups and foundations.

Overview

NGI_FR coordinates stakeholders including the European Commission, Agence nationale de la recherche, Conseil européen de la recherche, Fondation pour l'innovation politique, Ministère de l'Économie et des Finances to promote alternatives to centralized platforms. It links laboratories such as CNRS, INRIA, École Polytechnique, Université de Lyon, Sorbonne Université with industry partners like OVHcloud, Dassault Systèmes, Capgemini and civil society groups including La Quadrature du Net, Reporters Without Borders, Association for Progressive Communications. NGI_FR interfaces with standards bodies like European Telecommunications Standards Institute and initiatives such as Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Digital Single Market.

History and Development

NGI_FR emerged amid European research funding cycles influenced by Horizon 2020 and post-2018 policy debates involving European Parliament committees and think tanks like Bruegel and Institut Montaigne. Early coordination drew on projects funded under calls associated with European Research Council grants and bilateral agreements with institutions including CNRS, CEA, and Institut Pasteur. Key milestones include memorandum exchanges with regional governments such as Île-de-France authorities, partnerships with innovation clusters like Systematic Paris-Region and participation in conferences such as the FOSDEM and Web Summit.

Objectives and Programmes

NGI_FR's objectives align with European priorities articulated by the European Commission and European Council: enhancing resilience of internet infrastructure, fostering privacy-preserving technologies, and supporting decentralized architectures. Programmes target interoperability with standards from the IETF, W3C, and collaboration on security with entities like ANSSI and ENISA. Funding strands emulate mechanisms from Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council, while capacity-building draws on networks such as EIT Digital and academic exchange with Université Grenoble Alpes.

Governance and Funding

Governance of NGI_FR involves advisory boards comprising representatives from CNRS, INRIA, Sorbonne Université, private sector partners including Orange S.A. and Thales Group, and civil society stakeholders like Electronic Frontier Foundation affiliates and La Quadrature du Net. Funding combines grants from the Agence nationale de la recherche, allocations linked to Horizon Europe calls, regional support from Région Île-de-France, and contributions from foundations including Fondation de France and corporate sponsorships from firms such as Atos. Oversight mechanisms reference accountability frameworks promoted by the European Court of Auditors and reporting practices seen in Agence Française de Développement programmes.

Projects and Initiatives

NGI_FR supports diverse projects collaborating with research centres like INRIA Saclay, Télécom Paris, Université de Strasbourg and industry partners including Sopra Steria and Bull (company). Initiatives span decentralized identity pilots connected to eIDAS discussions, privacy tools aligned with the General Data Protection Regulation, mesh networking pilots in partnership with municipal projects in Lyon and Bordeaux, and cryptography research linked to laboratories such as Centre national de la recherche scientifique. NGI_FR has participated in consortia with entities involved in Horizon 2020 projects, liaising with standards organizations including IETF and W3C.

Impact and Reception

Stakeholders from European Commission directorates, academic reviewers from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and industry analysts at Gartner and Forrester Research have cited NGI_FR contributions to research outputs and pilot deployments. Civil society organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and Privacy International have engaged NGI_FR projects for consultation, while startup ecosystems represented by Station F and incubators like Incubateur Paris&Co have leveraged NGI_FR networks. Critiques from commentators in outlets like Le Monde and evaluations referenced by Conseil d'État appraisals have focused on scale, sustainability and alignment with wider Horizon Europe strategies.

Category:Internet governance Category:Research organisations based in France