Connecting young innovators across borders, India and France have launched a new platform that brings the Atal Tinkering Lab model to France.
India and France have launched a new initiative to strengthen innovation-led collaboration among students and young entrepreneurs, marking a fresh step in bilateral cooperation during the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
The programme, known as the India–France ATL Bridge, has been established by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes. It includes the creation of France’s first School Innovation Lab based on India’s Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) framework, which promotes hands-on learning and innovation among school students.
The collaboration was formalised through a letter of intent (LoI) exchanged in France between AIM Mission Director Deepak Bagla and Marie-Pierre Aulas, Managing Director of La Fondation Dassault Systèmes.
According to the organisations involved, the ATL Bridge will provide a structured platform for cooperation between innovation ecosystems in both countries. The initiative is expected to support joint innovation projects, entrepreneurial exchanges, knowledge-sharing programmes and capacity-building activities involving students, educators and other stakeholders.
Officials said the programme aims to help young innovators collaborate on practical challenges while encouraging the exchange of ideas, skills, and innovation methodologies across borders.
The initiative aligns with the broader commitment of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron to deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation. It also reflects efforts by both countries to promote future-ready skills and strengthen international partnerships at the school level.
India’s Atal Innovation Mission, launched in 2016, seeks to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across educational institutions, research organisations and start-ups. Under the programme, more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established nationwide, providing access to technologies such as robotics, electronics, artificial intelligence and 3D design.
According to AIM, these labs have engaged more than 11 million students over the past decade. By extending elements of the ATL model to France, the new initiative seeks to broaden international collaboration and create opportunities for students in both countries to participate in innovation-driven learning and problem-solving activities.
