Simula and Inria sign new framework agreement for scientific cooperation
Published:
On 10 February 2026, Simula Research Laboratory and Inria signed a new framework agreement for scientific cooperation, further strengthening a long-standing partnership between the two institutions.
The agreement was signed in Paris by Simula’s CEO Lillian Røstad and Inria’s CEO Bruno Sportisse. This framework will provide a structure for scientific collaborations, increase the international impact of joint research, and support innovation in strategically important areas.
“We are pleased to have expanded our collaboration with Inria. This agreement is directly aligned with our ambition to enhance international research collaboration and contribute to a stronger digital Europe,” says Røstad.
Lillian Røstad, CEO at Simula Research Laboratory
Simula and Inria have a lot in common. Both are government-owned research institutions specialised in information and communication technology (ICT) and applied mathematics. There is a shared ambition to deliver research with strong scientific, technological and societal impact, while contributing to a stronger digital Europe based on European sovereignty.
Shared research priorities
The framework agreement is built around a joint strategic research and innovation agenda. Cooperation will initially focus on the following areas:
- Artificial intelligence
- Cryptography and cybersecurity
- High-performance computing
- Defence-oriented research
- Quantum technology
From associate teams to a strategic framework
Simula and Inria have collaborated for more than 15 years through EU-funded projects, scientific workshops and close researcher networks. In 2019, the cooperation was formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which has led to the establishment of five joint Associate Teams, with more currently under development. The new framework agreement replaces the MoU with a broader and more strategic model for cooperation.
Inria is also an international partner in SURE-AI, the national centre for artificial intelligence hosted by Simula.
On the same day, the Norwegian Parliament's Standing Committee on Education and Research visited Inria. During the visit, Simula and Inria had the opportunity to present the impact of their cooperation.