India and France have launched the India–France Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) Bridge, a landmark initiative aimed at connecting school-level innovation ecosystems and promoting collaboration between young innovators from both countries. The initiative was announced during Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France, as part of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026.
The programme is being led by NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in partnership with La Fondation Dassault Systèmes. Under this collaboration, France will establish its first School Innovation Lab based on India’s successful Atal Tinkering Lab framework, which has been implemented in more than 10,000 schools and has reached over 11 million students across India.
The India–France ATL Bridge will create opportunities for students, educators, and innovators from both countries to participate in joint projects, innovation challenges, entrepreneurial exchanges, and knowledge-sharing programmes. Students will work on emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, electronics, 3D printing, and design thinking.
Officials said the initiative represents a significant milestone in India’s growing role as a global provider of scalable education and innovation models. It also reflects the increasing confidence in India’s approach to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship at the school level.
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The ATL Bridge forms part of the broader India–France Year of Innovation 2026, a bilateral initiative focused on strengthening cooperation in education, science, technology, research, and emerging industries. The programme aims to equip students with future-ready skills while deepening strategic ties between the two nations.
The collaboration is expected to pave the way for stronger international partnerships in school education and inspire a new generation of innovators capable of solving global challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.
