The "Groupement d'Intérêt Scientifique Biotechnologies Vertes" (GIS BV) and the "Plant Biology and Biotechnologies" working group (GT4) of the AllEnvi Alliance organized a scientific workshop on March 14th 2013 on the topic of «Nitrogen fixation: applications to cereals» in Clermont-Ferrand (France). Forty-five scientists from the public and private members of the GIS BV gathered at this event. Invited as keynote speaker, Jean-Michel Ané (University of Wisconsin, USA) gave an overview of research strategies and current international initiatives to test the feasibility of engineering nitrogen-fixing cereals. Twelve scientists from France's public institutes presented the research work carried out at the national level on various aspects of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic interactions. The presentations were followed by a global discussion. This paper summarizes the strategies identified and addresses the research opportunities for the French public-private community, in the light of the scientific and socioeconomic issues regarding nitrogen fixation in cereals.