For a period of 8 years, the AKER programme will form part of the "Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir" initiated by the French government. It is part of the call for projects "Biotechnology and Bioresources."

These calls for projects, managed by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, are part of the "Biotechnology and Health" action from the 1.5 billion euro "Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir" aiming to develop the bio-based economy based on knowledge and new applications of renewable biological resources.

"Biotechnology and Bioresources" has been a stated priority of the National Strategy
for Research and Innovation (SNRI) since 2008. The development of biotechnology should
lead to technological advances in plant breeding and biomass, both terrestrial and marine. Benefits are expected in the areas of agribusiness (improved productivity, food security...) and the environment (soil and water quality, use of renewable raw materials...).

Research in biotechnology is the best way to improve the performance and competitiveness of our agriculture, and also to ensure the protection of our environment, for example by developing breakthrough technologies for reprocessing or exploiting natural diversity.