France’s government has unveiled its 2014 draft budget, in which spending for research and higher education remain virtually the same. The Higher Education and Research Ministry’s budget will increase 0.5% to €23.4 billion ($32.5 billion) and exceed €26 billion including support from other ministries. The €7.8 billion research budget represents a 1.0% cut to the National Research Agency, as that funding is reallocated to basic research and Horizon 2020. The draft budget also prioritizes technology startups, with €58 million designated for the Young Innovative Company initiative, which provides tax breaks to young firms. The government has also allocated €5.3 billion for research and higher education as part of the Investments for the Future program, which focuses on eight areas such as renewable energy and health. The first chunk of this funding will be dispersed in 2015.

Source: Nature