The Toulouse R&D ecosystem
Toulouse is ranked number 21 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 76 labs within about 120 kilometres: 57 research institutes, 15 university, 2 government, 1 corporate and 1 military. Leading organisations include Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université de Toulouse, Centre National d'Études Spatiales and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, focused on molecular biology, plant science, genetics and global and planetary change.
Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated .
#21world rank
76labs
31organisations
1country
Why these labs matter
Airbus Central Research and Technology: Leads hydrogen and future aircraft research in Europe.
CNES Toulouse Space Centre: Central to France's space programme.
All 76 labs
| Lab and organisation | Location | Type and sector | Focus | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus Central Research and TechnologyAirbus | Toulouse, France | Corporate Aerospace, defence and space | Aircraft, Hydrogen, Space | |
| CNES Toulouse Space CentreCNES | Toulouse, France | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Space | 1968 |
| Fondation Sciences et Technologies pour l'Aéronautique et l'EspaceFondation Sciences et Technologies pour l'Aéronautique et l'Espace | Toulouse, France | Government Aerospace, defence and space | Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Ecology | 2007 |
| DGA Techniques aéronautiquesFrance Ministry of Armed Forces | Balma, France | Military Aerospace, defence and space | Aircraft testing | 1940 |
| Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Solidarités Sociétés TerritoiresÉcole des hautes études en sciences sociales | Toulouse, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Sociology and Political Science, Gender Studies, Urban Studies | 2003 |
| Génétique Physiologie et Systèmes d'ElevageÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Animal Science and Zoology, Molecular Biology | 2014 |
| Innovations Thérapeutiques et RésistancesÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Pharmacology, Small Animals, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology | 2018 |
| Interactions hôtes-agents pathogènesÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Agronomy and Crop Science, Small Animals, Microbiology | 1981 |
| Unité propre Néonatalogie des carnivores, reproduction et élevageÉcole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Agriculture and food | Small Animals, Agronomy and Crop Science, Animal Science and Zoology | 2016 |
| Laboratoire Cognition, Langues, Langage, ErgonomieUniversité Bordeaux Montaigne | Toulouse, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Language and Linguistics, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Philosophy | 2006 |
| Centre de Biologie Intégrative de ToulouseUniversité de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 2016 |
| French Clinical Research Infrastructure NetworkUniversité de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Neurology, Nephrology | 2012 |
| Institut de Chimie de ToulouseUniversité de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Chemicals and materials | Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry | 1994 |
| Laboratoire de gestion et des transitions organisationnellesUniversité de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Public policy and analysis | Sociology and Political Science, Marketing, Accounting | 2016 |
| Synthèse et Physicochimie de Molécules d'Intérêt BiologiqueUniversité de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | University Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1999 |
| Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la SantéUniversité Toulouse - Jean Jaurès | Toulouse, France | University Healthcare and life sciences | Cognitive Neuroscience, Conservation, Psychiatry and Mental health | 2016 |
| Géographie de l'environnementUniversité Toulouse - Jean Jaurès | Toulouse, France | University Environment and climate | Soil Science, Paleontology, Atmospheric Science | 1995 |
| Laboratoire de NeuroPsychoLinguistiqueUniversité Toulouse - Jean Jaurès | Toulouse, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Language and Linguistics | |
| Laboratoire d’Étude et de Recherche sur l’Économie, les Politiques et les Systèmes SociauxUniversité Toulouse - Jean Jaurès | Toulouse, France | University Social sciences and humanities | Development, Economics and Econometrics, Sociology and Political Science | |
| Unité de biologie Moléculaire, Cellulaire et du DéveloppementCentre de Biologie Intégrative de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Neuroscience | 2021 |
| Centre d'Études Spatiales de la BiosphèreCentre National d'Études Spatiales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Environmental Engineering, Ecology, Aerospace Engineering | 2001 |
| Géosciences Environnement ToulouseCentre National d'Études Spatiales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Geophysics, Geochemistry and Petrology, Geology | 1995 |
| Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieCentre National d'Études Spatiales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Instrumentation | 2011 |
| Laboratoire d’Études en Géophysique et Océanographie SpatialesCentre National d'Études Spatiales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Oceanography, Global and Planetary Change, Atmospheric Science | 1995 |
| Centre de Recherche d'Albi en génie des Procédés, des SOlides Divisés, de l'Énergie et de l'EnvironnementCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Albi, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Biomedical Engineering, Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering | 2012 |
| Climat, Environnement, Couplages et IncertitudesCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Atmospheric Science, Global and Planetary Change, Oceanography | 2016 |
| Fédération de Recherche Agrobiosciences, Interactions et BiodiversitéCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science | 1996 |
| Institut Clément AderCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Chemistry | 2009 |
| Clinique Saint Jean LanguedocClinique Saint Jean Languedoc | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Dermatology, Genetics | 1950 |
| Station d’Écologie Théorique et ExpérimentaleCNRS Écologie & Environnement | Foix, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Nature and Landscape Conservation, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Global and Planetary Change | 2007 |
| Travaux et Recherches Archéologiques sur les Cultures, les Espaces et les SociétésCNRS Écologie & Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Social sciences and humanities | Archeology, Paleontology, Anthropology | 1995 |
| Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de ToulouseCNRS Ingénierie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Computational Mechanics, Ocean Engineering, Environmental Engineering | 1995 |
| Laboratoire de Génie ChimiqueCNRS Ingénierie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Biomedical Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering, Water Science and Technology | 1995 |
| Laboratoire Plasma et Conversion d'EnergieCNRS Ingénierie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 2006 |
| MetaboHUBCommissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Spectroscopy, Plant Science | 2025 |
| Laboratoire Dynamique de la BiodiversitéDélégation Midi Pyrénées | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Insect Science | 1947 |
| Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Recherche en santé des POPulations de ToulouseInserm | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Psychiatry and Mental health, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Health | 2021 |
| Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1436Inserm | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Neurology, Toxicology, Hematology | 1993 |
| Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et CardiovasculairesInserm | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Epidemiology, Physiology, Molecular Biology | 2011 |
| Laboratoire de Chimie de CoordinationInstitut de Chimie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials | 1974 |
| Laboratoire de Chimie et Physique QuantiquesInstitut de Chimie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics | 1974 |
| Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et AppliquéeInstitut de Chimie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry | 1999 |
| Softmat - Chimie des colloïdes, polymères & assemblages complexesInstitut de Chimie | Toulouse, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine | 1995 |
| Laboratoire Collisions Agrégats RéactivitéInstitut de Physique | Toulouse, France | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Spectroscopy | 1995 |
| Laboratoire de Physique ThéoriqueInstitut de Physique | Toulouse, France | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics | 2003 |
| Centre de recherche cerveau et cognitionInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cognitive Neuroscience, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition | 1995 |
| Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie StructuraleInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Infectious Diseases, Genetics, Biotechnology | 1996 |
| Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique MoléculairesInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Molecular Biology, Plant Science | 1999 |
| Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences VégétalesInstitut des Sciences Biologiques | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, Molecular Biology | 1988 |
| Toulouse School of Management ResearchInstitut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategy and Management, Management Information Systems | 2012 |
| Laboratoire des 2 Infinis ToulouseInstitut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules | Toulouse, France | Research institute Nuclear | Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics | 2019 |
| Comportement et Écologie de la Faune SauvageInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Ecology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecological Modeling | 1973 |
| Département Génétique AnimaleInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology | 2003 |
| Domaine Expérimental de VassalInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Marseillan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology | 1999 |
| Génome et Transcriptome - Plateforme GénomiqueInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Science | 2017 |
| Genomics and Biotechnology of the Fruits LaboratoryInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, Molecular Biology | |
| Genotoul coordinationInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Plant Science, Genetics | 2024 |
| Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-IndustrielleInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Polymers and Plastics, Organic Chemistry, Food Science | 1975 |
| Laboratoire de Génétique CellulaireInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Genetics, Plant Science, Molecular Biology | |
| Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées ToulouseInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Science | 1987 |
| Observatoire des Programmes Communautaires de Développement RuralInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Plant Science, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Environmental Chemistry | 1981 |
| Toulouse White BiotechnologyInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology | 2011 |
| Toxicologie AlimentaireInstitut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement | Toulouse, France | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Cancer Research, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Plant Science | 2011 |
| Centre d’Élaboration de Matériaux et d’Études StructuralesInstitut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering | 1958 |
| Institut de Mathématiques de ToulouseInstitut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Basic science | Geometry and Topology, Applied Mathematics, Computational Mechanics | 2006 |
| Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des ConstructionsInstitut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Civil and Structural Engineering, Building and Construction, Earth-Surface Processes | 1999 |
| Centre National de Recherches MétéorologiquesInstitut National des Sciences de l'Univers | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Atmospheric Science, Global and Planetary Change, Oceanography | |
| Laboratoire d'AérologieInstitut National des Sciences de l'Univers | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Atmospheric Science, Global and Planetary Change, Oceanography | 1995 |
| AGroécologie, Innovations, teRritoiresInstitut National Polytechnique de Toulouse | Castanet-Tolosan, France | Research institute Agriculture and food | Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Environmental Chemistry, Agronomy and Crop Science | 2003 |
| Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'EnvironnementInstitut National Polytechnique de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Nature and Landscape Conservation, Global and Planetary Change, Paleontology | 2024 |
| Dynamiques et écologie des paysages agriforestiersInstitut National Polytechnique de Toulouse | Auzeville-Tolosane, France | Research institute Environment and climate | Nature and Landscape Conservation, Insect Science, Global and Planetary Change | 2002 |
| Institut de Recherche en Informatique de ToulouseInstitut National Polytechnique de Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Technology | Artificial Intelligence, Computational Theory and Mathematics, Software | 1995 |
| ISAE-SUPAERO RechercheInstitut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO) | Toulouse, France | Research institute Aerospace, defence and space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace Engineering | 2007 |
| Département Multi-physique pour l'énergétiqueOffice National d'Études et de Recherches Aérospatiales | Toulouse, France | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Computational Mechanics, Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes, Aerospace Engineering | 2018 |
| Laboratoire d'Économie des Ressources NaturellesServices déconcentrés d'appui à la recherche Occitanie-Toulouse | Toulouse, France | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Ocean Engineering, General Decision Sciences | |
| Toulouse School of Economics ResearchToulouse School of Economics | Toulouse, France | Research institute Public policy and analysis | Economics and Econometrics, Management Science and Operations Research, General Decision Sciences | 2016 |
Countries
Organisations
- Centre National d'Études Spatiales
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- CNRS Écologie & Environnement
- CNRS Ingénierie
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
- France Ministry of Armed Forces
- Inserm
- Institut de Chimie
- Institut de Physique
- Institut des Sciences Biologiques
- Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales
- Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement
- Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers
- Université de Toulouse
Other leading ecosystems
- Paris and Saclay
- Beijing and Tianjin
- Washington DC and Maryland
- Greater Tokyo and Tsukuba
- Moscow
- Grenoble
- London and the Golden Triangle
- Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong)
- Shanghai and Suzhou
- Provence (ITER and Cadarache)
- Silicon Valley and the Bay Area
- Singapore
- Zurich, Basel and Aargau
- Randstad (Amsterdam, Delft, Leiden)
- Stuttgart and Karlsruhe
Questions and answers
How big is the Toulouse R&D ecosystem?
It has 76 labs from 31 organisations, ranking number 21 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.
Which organisations have labs in Toulouse?
They include Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université de Toulouse, Centre National d'Études Spatiales and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
What does the Toulouse ecosystem specialise in?
Its main focus areas are molecular biology, plant science, genetics and global and planetary change.
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