Discover our CIR Certifications
AREAD is officially recognized by the French State to support innovative companies in securing and managing their Research Tax Credit (CIR) accreditation procedures.
CIR Accreditation: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
A comprehensive guide to understanding, applying for, and obtaining French Research Tax Credit (CIR) accreditation with AREAD.
What Is CIR Accreditation?
CIR Accreditation (Crédit d’Impôt Recherche approval) is an official certification issued by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESRI).
It confirms that a company possesses the technical capabilities, qualified personnel, and organizational resources required to carry out research and development (R&D) activities as a subcontractor.
Who Can Apply?
All companies may apply, regardless of size or sector, including:
SMEs and mid-sized enterprises
Engineering and technical consultancies
Design studios and creative agencies
Independent experts and R&D consultants
Industrial and technology companies
Why Obtain CIR Accreditation?
A Strategic Asset for Your Business
Credibility
CIR accreditation strengthens trust with clients and partners. It serves as official recognition by the Ministry of Research, demonstrating scientific and technical reliability.
Commercial Advantage
Your clients may include your R&D services in their own Research Tax Credit declaration. This represents a powerful competitive lever for attracting and retaining innovation-driven clients.
Recognized Expertise
Accreditation highlights the quality of your scientific, technical, and human resources dedicated to R&D.
Fiscal Security
By working with an accredited subcontractor, your clients enhance the compliance and security of their CIR claims. AREAD ensures full procedural and regulatory compliance at every stage.
⚠️ Important: An accredited subcontractor may not simultaneously claim CIR for R&D activities carried out on behalf of its clients.
How to Obtain CIR Accreditation
Step-by-Step Procedure
Obtaining accreditation requires submitting a complete application file to the French Ministry of Research (MESRI).
The file must include:
- Administrative form (Cerfa n°10198*10)
- A detailed scientific report describing your R&D activities
- Supporting documents (CVs, degrees, organizational charts, etc.)
Deadlines and Validity
- First application: before March 31 of the current year
- Renewal: before November 30 of the final year of accreditation
- Average validity period: 3 years
- Processing time: 8 to 9 months
⚠️ Applications submitted by email or courier are not accepted.
The AREAD Approach
AREAD manages your accreditation process end-to-end, from initial assessment to final submission.
Our Methodology
- R&D project audit and eligibility assessment
- Full scientific and administrative drafting of the application file
- Ongoing follow-up with MESRI authorities
Receive a free eligibility assessment within 48 hours
Subcontracting and CIR-CII Accreditation
Understanding the CIR / CII Complementarity
A contracting company may include expenses subcontracted to a CIR- or CII-accredited provider in its own tax declaration.
Holding CIR and/or CII accreditation enables you to:
- Facilitate R&D and innovation partnerships
- Make your services eligible for tax incentives
Strengthen the scientific reliability of your work
How to Verify Whether a Company Is Accredited
Each year, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research publishes the official list of CIR and CII accredited organizations.
The list is available online at recherche.gouv.fr (unless confidentiality has been requested by the beneficiary).
Composition of the CIR Accreditation File
Preparing the accreditation file requires rigor and completeness.
The application must include:
- Company presentation (legal name, APE code, incorporation date, etc.)
- Financial and HR data (turnover, R&D workforce, etc.)
- Description of at least one R&D project carried out by the company
- Researchers’ CVs and academic qualifications
Contact details of the responsible representative
Accreditation Renewal
Renewal Procedure and Deadlines
To renew CIR (or combined CIR-CII) accreditation:
- File submission between August 15 and November 30 of the final accredited year
- Renewal file identical to a first application
- Late submission results in rejection for the following year
AREAD recommendation: Begin preparing the renewal file as early as June to avoid any administrative discontinuity.
FAQ - CIR Accreditation
The average processing time is 8 to 9 months after submission of a complete file to MESRI.
AREAD helps anticipate missing documentation and optimize the scientific structure of the file to facilitate review.
CIR accreditation is generally valid for 3 years, except in specific cases.
AREAD monitors all deadlines to prevent expiration risks and ensure administrative continuity.
In the event of refusal, AREAD supports you with:
- Scientific revision of the file for resubmission
- Analysis of rejection grounds
- Preparation of an appeal or supplementary file if necessary
Thanks to our rigorous methodology, our accreditation files achieve an acceptance rate exceeding 95%.
Yes. A combined CIR + CII application may be submitted.
In such cases, the CIR procedure applies.
AREAD prepares a unified application file covering both schemes to ensure scientific and fiscal consistency.
To obtain accreditation, a company must demonstrate:
- Qualified human resources (researchers, engineers, R&D technicians)
- Adequate technical and material capabilities
- Effective execution of R&D projects within the last 12 months
Our experts provide a free eligibility assessment within 48 hours.
Yes. While the application is under review, your clients may provision the related expenses.
Once accreditation is granted, expenses become retroactively eligible for the current fiscal year.
Fees vary depending on the complexity of your R&D activities and the volume of documentation required.
AREAD provides transparent pricing following the initial eligibility assessment.
CIR (Research Tax Credit) supports fundamental and applied research projects.
CII (Innovation Tax Credit) applies to projects involving the design and development of new products.
AREAD is accredited for both schemes, ensuring comprehensive and coherent support across research and
