The French public budget › Education and research · State · 2026
Research & higher education
Higher education programmes and university research, multidisciplinary scientific and technological research, student life…: the 4th largest of the 31 missions in the State budget for 2026.
31.6bn€
voted for 2026 in the State budget (budget act)
Year by year
Spent in 202431.0bn€
Spent in 202530.6bn€
Voted for 202631.6bn€
What it pays for, voted for 2026
Higher education programmes and university research50%15.7bn€Multidisciplinary scientific and technological research26%8.2bn€Student life10%3.3bn€Space research6%1.8bn€Research in sustainable energy, development and mobility5%1.5bn€Research and higher education in economic and industrial affairs2%570M€Agricultural higher education and research1%427M€Dual-use research (civilian and military)< 1%149M€Source: 2024 actual spending (budget outturn act) ↗, 2025 actual spending (budget outturn act) ↗, 2026 budget act as passed ↗.