Franco-German Institute for the Industry of the Future

A historic partnership in Franco-German engineering education

The partnership between Arts et Métiers KIT began in 1996 at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Metz with the launch of the Franco-German dual engineering degree program. This dual degree laid a solid foundation for the collaboration, which expanded into research in 2016 with the creation of the Franco-German Institute for the Industry of the Future (IFA). 

Franco-German research in support of the industry of the future

Through this strategic partnership, the IFA helps to enhance the visibility and appeal of French and German expertise in engineering and in key scientific fields related to industrial transformation in Europe.

The research conducted at the IFA focuses on three scientific areas:

• Advanced manufacturing processes, including innovative production technologies  
• Production systems and robotics, designed to address the challenges of performance, flexibility, and automation in modern industries  
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for Design, Production, and Training  

These three research areas are complemented by two cross-cutting themes that address the full range of issues related to the industry of the future, in close alignment with technological and societal developments:

• Artificial intelligence, aimed at better integrating this tool to better support humans in the industries of the future
• Circular economy: This initiative, launched in 2025, aims to support the transition toward a more sustainable and responsible industry 

A network of leading laboratories

Around these themes, nine French and German research laboratories and institutes are pooling their skills, equipment, and expertise.

Partner laboratories and research institutes

 The Franco-German Doctoral College

In addition to training Franco-German engineers, the Franco-German Institute provides an ideal setting for training future industry experts through its affiliated Franco-German doctoral program.

Thanks to the support of the Franco-German University, the doctoral program offers:

• Ph.D. student exchanges between France and Germany,
• The establishment of joint thesis supervision arrangements.

To bring together young researchers from KIT andArts et Métiers, a thematic summer school is held annually, alternating between France and Germany 

The GENIUS Chair: The Franco-German Partnership in Action  

Launched in 2025, the GENIUS Chair aims to support the transition of industrial systems toward more resilient, sustainable, and competitive models.  

With more than 12 binational research projects, 20 researchers involved, 900 graduate students, and 8 partner laboratories, GENIUS aims to serve as a true Franco-German catalyst for education, research, and industrial transfer.

This momentum is made possible by the Franco-German Institute, of which it is a part.

A long-standing and well-established partnership

The Franco-German Institute receives support from the Franco-German University (UFA) for its entire academic program (dual engineering degree and doctoral school) as well as for the GENIUS Chair. Franco-German University

In general, the IFA receives institutional and regional support:

• the Metz Eurometropolis,
• the Grand Est region,
• the Moselle Department 

Contact  

• Jean-Rémy Chardonnet: Director of the Franco-German Institute for the Industry of the Future 

The Franco-German Institute for the Industry of the Future by the Numbers

• 1 Franco-German engineering program with three tracks
• 1 doctoral program with 5 theses in progress  
• 5 Arts et Métiers campuses and 2 institutes Arts et Métiers through 5 research laboratories  
• 4 research institutes at KIT
• About twenty faculty members and researchers  
• 1 research and teaching chair