# French academic research and innovation ecosystems > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/french-academic-research-and-innovation-ecosystems > Updated: 2026-08-27T06:30:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. French academic institutions, particularly in the Grenoble Alpes and Alpes-Maritimes regions, are playing central roles in driving regional innovation and economic growth. In Grenoble, leadership transitions at Grenoble INP - UGA are intended to strengthen the connections between research, education, and economic innovation. Emmanuel Perrin has been appointed Director of Grenoble INP - Esisar to focus on electronics and cybersecurity, while Gaëlle Calvary has been elected Vice-President of Research to bridge the gap between academic laboratories and economic actors. This occurs within a broader regional ecosystem that supports 30,000 R&D jobs and has seen the creation of over 750 startups since 2000. Similarly, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA) serves as a pillar for the Alpes-Maritimes region. Through its IDEX label, the university facilitates research across fields such as health, green technology, and quantum technology in partnership with major organizations like CNRS and INSERM. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: French academic institutions drive regional innovation ecosystems French academic institutions like Université Côte d'Azur and Grenoble INP-UGA are driving regional innovation through intensive research, industry partnerships, and high-density R&D ecosystems. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-academic-institutions-drive-regional-innovation-ecosystems ### 2026-08-25: Grenoble INP - UGA announces new leadership appointments Grenoble INP - UGA announces new leadership: Emmanuel Perrin will lead Esisar in 2026, while Gaëlle Calvary takes on the dual role of Vice-President of Research and Innovation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grenoble-inp-uga-announces-new-leadership-appointments --- Cite as: French academic research and innovation ecosystems. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/french-academic-research-and-innovation-ecosystems