High Level Forum 2026: an international summit at the heart of Grenoble
Since its creation, the High Level Forum (HLF) has enabled the establishment of more than 80 innovation systems. For its 13th edition, the summit brought together all its delegations in Grenoble, further strengthening its role as a major global gathering for innovation.
Grenoble, European Capital of innovation 2026
A true crossroads of scientific and technological excellence, Grenoble embodies a dynamic ecosystem where research, industry, and ecological transition move forward hand in hand. A natural and strategic choice to host the High Level Forum 2026.
The 2026 edition
A delegation of 267 participants gathered for the HLF, with no fewer than 27 countries represented, including South Korea, Italy, Canada, and India.
This edition, held from February 2 to 4, 2026 at the Maison Minatec, was a special one as it took place earlier than expected , and for good reason. Tech&Fest, an event dedicated to innovation and technology bringing together startups, major industrial groups, researchers, investors, and decision-makers for conferences and demonstrations at Alpexpo, was taking place at the same time.
HLF participants were able to enjoy a full day at the festival to discover the latest technological trends. It was an unprecedented alliance, as Julie Galland (Director of the Research & Technology Division at CEA and President of GIANT) served as patron of Tech&Fest this year. An opportunity to showcase the CEA, GIANT, and the sovereignty of Grenoble’s research ecosystem on the international stage.
Three days to rethink innovation in the face of global challenges
In total, 53 speakers led 18 conferences, keynotes, masterclasses, and roundtables around a shared theme: “From Research to Reality: Innovating in a World of Great Change.”
The program featured diverse contributions addressing the future of collaboration in research, economic challenges in the current geopolitical context, and more disruptive topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.
Summit Highlights
Hosting the event in Grenoble, a city of scientific and technological innovation, offered participants the opportunity to discover the region’s heritage and territory, nestled between mountains, laboratories, and technology centers.
Following the previous edition in Taiwan, this gathering provided both a professionally and culturally enriching experience for all members of the HLF network.
Driven by the GIANT ecosystem, the event reaffirmed its role as an international platform for dialogue between science, industry, and public policy.
Upon arrival, participants explored the GIANT ecosystem and the Grenoble Presqu’île through Learning Expeditions. These small-group visits included the EPN campus, home to three major European institutes: : the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Institut Laue-Langevin and ESRF – The European Synchrotron and at the CEA showroom, GEM Labs and Schneider Electric.
The second day took place at Maison Minatec and featured conferences, workshops, and contributions from key regional figures. Julie Galland 
(Director of the Research & Technology Division at CEA and President of GIANT) and Bruno Charrat (President of the HLF and Director of Alliance Development in Research & Innovation within CEA’s Technological Research Division) opened the summit and introduced: Christophe Ferrari (President of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole), Jean-François Clappaz (Vice-President of the Le Grésivaudan Community of Municipalities), Catherine Staron (Regional Vice-President for High Schools, Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region), Mahamadou Diarra (Secretary General of the Isère Prefecture), Éric Piolle (Mayor of the City of Grenoble).
The international dimension was further highlighted by an exceptional address from Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission.
This full and engaging day concluded with a gala dinner at the Musée de Grenoblev, one of France’s leading art museums. Participants enjoyed exclusive access to the museum’s permanent collections, experiencing an evening that combined networking, gastronomy, and cultural discovery.
Division Recherche & Technologie du CEA, Présidente de GIANT) et Bruno Charrat (Président du HLF, Directeur du Développement des Alliances en Recherche & Innovation au sein de la Division de la Recherche Technologique du CEA) ont ouvert les festivités et introduits : Christophe Ferrari (Président de Grenoble-Alpes Métropole), Jean-François Clappaz (Vice-président(e) de la Communauté de communes Le Grésivaudan), Catherine Staron (Vice-président(e) délégué(e) aux Lycées, à l’Enseignement supérieur, à la Recherche et à l’Innovation de la Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Mahamadou Diarra (Secrétaire général de la Préfecture de l’Isère) et Éric Piolle (Maire de la Ville de Grenoble). Enfin, la scène internationale était également à l’honneur avec une intervention exceptionnelle d’Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissaire européenne aux Start-up, à la Recherche et à l’Innovation à la Commission européenne.
Partners
The High Level Forum was made possible thanks to the support of numerous partners.
The event was jointly organized by CEA and the GIANT Innovation Ecosystem.
It was supported by Grenoble Alpes Métropole, the Communauté de communes du Grésivaudan, the Ville de Grenoble, the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Minatec Entreprises, IRT NanoElec, Schneider Electric and the Crédit Agricole Sud Rhône-Alpes.
Finally, the HLF is supported by the DIGIME PROJECT, co-funded by the European Union.