Call for Applications: MIAI Startup Certification

Call for Applications Artificial Intelligence
September 16, 2026 – October 15, 2026
MIAI Cluster is relaunching its MIAI startup certification campaign – 2026–2027 edition

The label is evolving and expanding to include startups led byentrepreneurs from the AURA region or nationwide who are contributing to a collaborative project with the Cluster.

This certification aims to promote innovative AI projects, strengthen the ties between research and entrepreneurship, and build the AI startup community, fostering exchanges, the sharing of experiences, and the emergence of collaborative projects within the MIAI network.

Calendar

 Application deadline:October 15, 2026

 Notification to winners: mid-December 2026

 Application:ONLINE FORM

Eligibility Criteria

Startups that meet the following criterion are eligible to apply

Developing or integrating AI technology:
The startup must offer a product or service that:
- develops or integrates a “ AI core ”: explainable AI, machine learning and reasoning, embedded hardware architecture, interactive and generative AI, explainative AI, or sustainable AI OR/AND
 - whose application addresses one of the cluster’s strategic areas: energy & environment, industry of the future, health/well-being, AI and society, AI for science.
More information on the research areashere.

AND one of the following two criteria
  • Supported by an innovation partner from MIAI Cluster:

 The startup must have received support from an innovation partner (Linksium, Inria, CEA, CNRS, IncubaGEM, Pépite oZer, Magellan), or have originated from a laboratory affiliated with one of the “ MIAI Cluster ” institutions (UGA, UCA, USMB), or incorporate AI technology from a partner laboratory of the “ MIAI Cluster.”

  • Having formalized a partnership with MIAI Cluster :

A startup has a collaboration agreement with MIAI Cluster if:

  • It hosts a researcher from one of the three sites of the “ MIAI Cluster ” (UGA, UCA, USMB) who is pursuing a CIFRE dissertation or a direct dissertation; OR

  • It hosts a master’s student (M2), a doctoral student, a postdoctoral researcher, and an educational engineer from one of the three MIAI Cluster campuses (UGA, UCA, USMB); OR

  • It provides researchers at MIAI Cluster with one or more datasets, software, hardware, or personnel time for research focused on a specific theme of the MIAI Cluster.

This may take the form of a scientificchair , a POCchair , an industrialchair , an exploratory project, or an open call.

Published on September 16, 2026
Updated on September 17, 2026