The Fondation Michel Métivier was created in 2003 under the auspices of the Fondation de France. It is a non-profit foundation created at the initiative of the Matisse Doctoral School of the University of Rennes 1 by a convention of private law between the Fondation de France and three companies:

- France Telecom R&D
- Mitsubishi Information Technology Europe TCL
- Thomson R&D France

The main objective of the foundation is to promote and fertilize industry-university partnerships by means of special actions. The three founding companies wish to constitute a driving force in the context of R&D, which will lead the way for the establishment of privileged relationships with selected French and international academic institutions. The actions of the foundation consist in providing:

- support for visits in Rennes of high-level scientists
- support for conferences and workshops
- welcome grants for students entering the Research Masters
- PhD prizes to promote industry-university partnerships
- support for associations of young researchers

The financial management of the Fondation Michel Métivier is supervised by the Fondation de France, a guarantee of rigor and transparency. Moreover, the President of the Fondation de France is a member of the executive committee of the Fondation Michel Métivier.

The Fondation de France was created in 1969 at the initiative of André Malraux and the General de Gaulle, by the Caisse des dépôts ( French National Reserve Bank) and 17 major French banks. It aims at developing all forms of private grants. It is independent from the French State, non-religious, non-political and is governed by private law. The initial fund of 2,4696 m€ has grown over the years to a total of 50,3081 m€ today. One of its means of action is to foster the creation of foundations under its auspices. Since 1969, 514 foundations have been thus created, including 56 foundations created by private companies.