Research without borders ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57 rities. This lobbying is essential in the run-up to the new Horizon 2020 framework program that will determine the course of European research over the next seven years.” CNRS also collaborates with other organizations as part of the European Union’s International Cooperation (INCO) projects aimed at taking European scientific expertise beyond the boundaries of Europe. The organization is involved in highly strategic projects, such as the ERA-Net schemes, allowing institutions from EU member states to cooperate with non-EU partners, and to launch multilateral calls for proposals. In 2012, CNRS took an active part in coordinating ERA-Net with four of the world’s research leaders: India, Russia, Japan, and South Korea. It also led the launch and follow-up of a joint call for proposals with India concerning biotechnology applied to human health in 2012. The year was marked by two other events coordinated by CNRS: the publication of a prospective study on The current state and future of scientific cooperation between the EU and India and the organization of the third edition of the EU-India Science Technology and Innovation Cooperation Days in Hyderabad. CNRS prepared and monitored calls for proposals targeting “science & technology” and “innovation” as part of the ERA-Net project with Russia, which was extended through July 2013. It also worked extensively to prepare the next ERA-Net with that country, whose calls for proposals will receive additional European funding. A single network for research units abroad CNRS has a strong reputation and increasing visibility worldwide. It has developed international cooperation tools to meet researchers’ needs and organize partnerships. It has also launched an ambitious program to open International Joint Units (UMIs) and Joint units with French research institutes (UMIFREs) abroad. “Our 30 UMIs are genuine research organizations providing a single site for researchers, engineers, technicians and students appointed by CNRS and the overseas partner organization,” says Minh-Hà Pham-Delègue. The first joint research unit, associating CNRS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was inaugurated in June 2012 by CNRS President Alain Fuchs and MIT President Susan Hockfield. This UMI focuses on multi-scale materials for energy and the environment. Located on the MIT campus in Cambridge (US), it works in close collaboration with several MIT research centers and manages a French research network, notably through the ICOME2 Laboratory of Excellence. Another UMI was created in January 2012. The Indo-French Center for Applied Mathematics (IFCAM) provides a collaborative platform for researchers and students in both countries. It is located in the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, the Indian IT capital and a major center for research. “The UMIFREs, human sciences research centers created in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are another showcase for French research,” says the Director of DERCI. The CNRS Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences relies on these overseas French research centers to implement the organization’s European and international policy. There are no fewer than 26 such centers, including the French Research Center in Jerusalem, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012. The international reach of French research CNRS’s 11 overseas offices also play a key role in the deployment of its international policy. “This unique network reflects our geographical priorities,” says Minh-Hà Pham-Delègue. “Its main purpose is to make French research visible worldwide, bring laboratories closer together, and develop partnerships. In addition to welcoming official delegations as well as researchers on foreign assignments, these offices provide technology monitoring, and reach out to French businesses that have local R&D activities.” The Washington office, which represents CNRS in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was bolstered in 2012 with the appointment of a Deputy Director. In another development concerning representation, CNRS took part in one of the world’s main research events. President Alain Fuchs and Geneviève Fioraso, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research, attended the 9th Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum in Kyoto, Japan, on October 7-9, 2012. Each year this “Davos of science” gathers around 800 participants from over 80 countries, regions, and organizations to discuss how science and technology can influence the future of humanity. The CNRS President took this opportunity to announce the creation of a worldwide group of research organization leaders, whose first meeting was held in parallel with the STS forum. CNRS was also officially represented by the Director of the CNRS Institute of Ecology and the Environment at RIO+20, the UN conference on sustainable development held on June 20-22, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. CNRS took part in roundtable discussions in the French Pavilion, along with other member organizations of the French National Research Alliance for the Environment (Allenvi). Drawing on the expertise of its Guiana-based units, CNRS highlighted the importance of scientific research in understanding the challenges of sustainable development. “Through strategic agreements with our partners worldwide, we are driving the scientific excellence and international visibility of the ‘France brand’.” Joël Bertrand, Chief Research Officer 2012 A year at CNRS
RA2012_en
To see the actual publication please follow the link above