basis, we jointly develop a scientific strategy aimed both at conso- A significant commitment to Investments lidating our strengths and fostering new—and as far as possible for the Future interdisciplinary—research themes. Our goal is to help create a few large, world class, multidisciplinary research universities,’ notes Joël Territorial organization of research was accelerated and boosted by Bertrand, Chief Research Officer. Discussions made uneven progress the French government’s Investments for the Future program, in depending on the sites. The first agreements had to be postponed which CNRS is strongly involved. ‘This high-budget program provides until 2012 due to the large amount of responses from universities to local, scientifically-targeted support to a broad range of initiatives,’ the Investments for the Future calls for proposals. adds Joël Bertrand, Chief Research Officer. ‘Some of these (such as Idex1, Labex2, and Equipex3) aim to promote a new organization of research, some (like IHU4 and Cohortes) are dedicated to specific A year of transition themes such as health and biotechnology, while others (IRT5, IEED6, SATT7, etc.) focus on research partnerships and technology trans- The context led the French government to extend the duration of fer. These are unprecedented initiatives for organizing research and contracts with institutes of higher education and research from four higher education.’ Fully aware of the significant contribution of the to five years. CNRS applied this new term to its agreements. ‘The Investments for the Future program to the new research landscape, five-year duration will give the institutions more time to achieve their CNRS and its partners joined forces to respond to the various 2011 objectives,’ says Jean-Noël Verpeaux. ‘Although it does not affect calls for proposals. our strategy, it increases our 2012 workload due to the transitional provisions required.’ These efforts have paid off: through its various units, CNRS partici- pates in most Equipex and Labex projects. It is also involved in other A few regions expressed interest in participating in the development elements of the program, particularly the Idex aimed at developing of site agreements, which prompted CNRS to set up a system to meet world-class multidisciplinary research universities over the next de- this request without complicating the negotiations process. ‘We have cade. In early 2012, five more Idex were added to the three 2011 worked with regions for some time, in particular through state-region laureates. ‘Upon project leaders’ request, CNRS became involved project contracts,’ Jean-Noël Verpeaux points out. ‘The regions are in all stages of the process, with the Referent Scientific Director / convinced of the vital role of research in creating jobs and resources Regional Representative teams participa- at the local level. For this reason, some of them wish to be involved in ting in the selection hearings, alongside the major university site projects. In 2011, we looked at how they could institute directors, up to and including the identify themes of interest in the scientific policy defined with our President of CNRS and its Chief Research partner universities.’ A system will be set up on a trial basis in 2012, Officer,’ explains Roger Guilard, the cabi- notably with the Auvergne and Pays de la Loire regions. net’s project leader for Investments for the Focus on the Unistra Idex ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interview with Alain Beretz, President of the University of Strasbourg and head of the Unistra Idex project What is the Idex’s strategy concerning research? to the Initiative. This shows how much of a role it plays in our project. The Unistra Idex is based on two complementary strategies. The first A role that is historical as well: the first CNRS associated laboratory one is to support and bolster existing scientific excellence through was set up in Strasbourg. The Idex simply strengthens a long- its Labex. The second consists in paving the way for tomorrow’s standing partnership. excellence, whether inside the Labex and within centers that are too small to integrate the program, or in emerging fields. We have What is CNRS’s position in the governance of the Idex? therefore allocated 70% of our research budget to the Excellence CNRS is an Idex founding member. It sits on the Steering Committee, scheme, while the remaining 30% is available through tenders open which submits proposals to the Board of Directors with regard to to any research unit within the university. fund allocation, result assessment, and control of expenses. What role does CNRS play in the Idex? Figures speak for themselves: CNRS contributes 38% of the financing of the Idex and 50% of its Strasbourg budget is dedicated 54 A year at CNRS 2011
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