Fraunhofer and IMT Strengthen European Research Partnership

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the French Institut Mines Télécom (IMT) have strengthened their collaboration in strategic research areas by signing a new memorandum of understanding at VivaTech 2026 in Paris. The partnership focuses on hydrogen technology, cybersecurity, and smart cities, aiming to advance Europe's technological and digital sovereignty.

Representatives from both organizations highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation for ensuring Europe's competitiveness and resilience. The collaboration establishes a framework for new research initiatives, closer interaction among scientists, and the preparation of European innovation projects. The goal is to leverage the complementary expertise of Fraunhofer and IMT and drive concrete European innovation projects.

The aim is to strengthen trust and synergies within European cooperation, which is crucial at present. Fraunhofer's Director for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization, Axel Müller-Groeling, and IMT's President, Cécile Dubarry, noted that both institutions share the same philosophy of applied research serving business competitiveness.

The partnership deepens a previous dialogue on AI for industry and expands it to cover three key areas: renewable hydrogen for decarbonizing industry and mobility, secure digital systems for cybersecurity and data sovereignty, and digital solutions for sustainable and resilient cities.