Discover our CII Certifications
AREAD is officially recognized by the French State to support innovative companies in securing their Innovation Tax Credit (CII) accreditation.
CII Accreditation: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
A comprehensive guide to understanding, applying for, and obtaining Innovation Tax Credit (CII) accreditation with AREAD.
What Is CII Accreditation?
CII Accreditation (Crédit d’Impôt Innovation approval) is an official certification issued by the Directorate General for Enterprise (DGE).
It confirms that your organization has the technical expertise and qualified personnel required to contribute to the design, development, or realization of innovative product prototypes or pilot installations.
Who Can Apply?
All organizations may apply, regardless of size or legal status, including:
- SMEs and mid-sized companies
- Associations and foundations
- Engineering firms and innovation consultancies
Scientific and technical experts
Why Obtain CII Accreditation?
Recognition of Your Innovation Expertise
Expertise
CII accreditation enhances the value of your capabilities in product design, engineering, and innovation. It certifies your ability to transform concepts into innovative prototypes or market-ready products.
Credibility
Being CII-accredited strengthens your legitimacy with contracting companies. It is official recognition from the Directorate General for Enterprise.
Client Advantage
Your clients may include your innovation-related invoices in their own Innovation Tax Credit (CII) claim. This represents both a fiscal and strategic advantage that facilitates collaboration.
Market Visibility
CII accreditation increases your commercial attractiveness and brand positioning. It becomes a powerful differentiator within competitive innovation ecosystems.
An accredited CII subcontractor gains sustainable competitive positioning and attracts new strategic partnerships.
How to Apply for CII Accreditation
Step-by-Step Procedure
To obtain CII accreditation, you must submit a complete application file including:
- Cerfa form n°10198*08
- A scientific dossier describing your innovation projects
- Supporting documents (CVs, degrees, certifications, etc.)
Where to Submit the Application?
- If applying solely for CII accreditation : submit to the DGE (Directorate General for Enterprise)
- If you already hold or are applying simultaneously for CIR accreditation : the file is submitted to the Ministry of Research (MESRI)
In this case, CII accreditation is automatically granted within the combined procedure.
Deadlines and Validity
- First application: submission before September 30 of the year concerned
- Validity period: 5 years
- Renewal: before September 30 following the final accredited year
Recommendation: Begin preparing the file in spring to avoid administrative bottlenecks.
AREAD Support
Nos consultants spécialisés en Crédit d’Impôt Innovation vous accompagnent à chaque étape
Our Innovation Tax Credit specialists assist you at every stage:
- Project audit to identify eligible innovation activities
- Full drafting of the scientific and administrative file
- Submission management and coordination with DGE or MESRI
- Ongoing follow-up until final validation
Objective: Maximize approval success while relieving you of administrative constraints.
Receive a free eligibility assessment within 48 hours
Subcontracting and CIR–CII Accreditation
The Strategic Role of Accredited Subcontracting
A contracting company may include expenses entrusted to a CIR- or CII-accredited provider in its own tax declaration.
Holding CII (or CIR) accreditation allows your clients to:
- Deduct invoiced amounts related to outsourced innovation or R&D
- Secure their tax declarations
- Partner with a scientifically recognized expert
How to Verify Whether a Company Is Accredited
The Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESRI) publishes the official annual list of CIR and CII accredited entities.
It is available online at recherche.gouv.fr (unless confidentiality has been requested).
Composition of the CII Accreditation File
Preparing the file requires rigor and completeness.
The dossier must include:
- Full presentation of the organization (legal name, APE code, turnover, incorporation date, etc.)
- HR and economic data (researchers, engineers, technical staff)
- Description of an innovation project completed within the last 12 months
- CVs and academic qualifications of project participants
- Contact details of the scientific lead
FAQ - CII Accreditation
On average, 8 months depending on the completeness of the file and the review workload at the DGE.
CII supports product innovation projects, while CIR supports scientific research activities.
AREAD is accredited for both schemes and provides integrated advisory support.
No. However, it is mandatory for subcontractors working with innovation-driven contracting companies.
Five years, renewable upon submission of a new application file.
Yes. The process is simplified: you simply add an innovation project to your existing file.
