The Ile-de-France is fertile ground for both basic and applied research. It employs 80,000 researchers and research engineers (equal to 7 % of the European Union's workforce) and devotes 15 billion euros to research each year (8% of the total).

The region has set up a number of structures to encourage the dynamism of innovating enterprises. One special case is the Centre francilien de l'innovation (CFI) (Ile-de-France innovation centre). Its mission is to support projects proposed by SMEs, laboratories and even physical persons by offering them free scientific, technical-economic, regulatory and social expertise.

At the same time, the regional council is supporting 14 priority sectors, known as Domaines d'intérêt majeur (DIM). Some examples are cancer treatment, nanosciences, complex systems and sustainable development.

Eight competitiveness centres have their bases in the Ile-de-France. These are associations of enterprises, research centres and training bodies that are engaged on a development strategy around innovative projects undertaken jointly.

Finally, the region supports innovating enterprises in many business incubators, especially in four major fields: digital technology, health, design and sustainable development.