Modernizing and simplifying the organization -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the field ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The viewpoint of Bertrand Minault, Regional Representative of the CNRS Rhône-Auvergne Office ‘Regional offices carry out the administrative dialog on two required to carry it through. This approach makes the CNRS levels: for their own resource requests, and by participating in budget policy more professional and modern. We are basically the exchange between units and institutes. I consider this a very learning how to implement the LOLF* and its associated tools. This positive approach. First because all those involved take time to also has a concrete effect in the field: because unit directors and meet and exchange ideas through a genuine dialog. Furthermore, regional representatives have clearer visibility on how they this exchange is beneficial to both parties: it raises scientists’ should use the resources they receive, they make more awareness of administrative constraints and it gives administrators rational and enlightened choices.’ a better understanding of concrete scientific issues. It would have been pointless to discuss science and management separately. * Organic Law on Laws of Finance. The Administrative dialog connects a unit’s scientific project—or a regional office’s strategic territorial project—with the resources to simplify management.’ Annie Lechevallier- Concrete, constructive dialog Germain, Deputy Administrative Director of the CNRS Institute of Biological Sciences (INSB), The entire process involves several steps over a six-month period. testifies to the latter: ‘As former Secretary From July to September, the units prepare their requests for fun- General for a research unit, I know how com- ding in accordance with the new 2010 reference budget, which plicated it is to request and manage funding breaks down each unit’s budget into seven functional sections. ‘The on a piecemeal basis, between the basic allo- administrative dialog then starts, on two successive levels,’ explains cation, funding for equipment, for operations, Catherine Larroche, Deputy Director and Head of Allocation and Re- etc. Granting units a global allocation gives source management at DSFIM. them an overview of their resources, starting January 1. Moreover, the allocation is fungible, ‘A first meeting is held to determine a global budget for institutes and therefore more flexible to use.’ regional offices, which can then initiate their own dialog with their respective units and the partner universities. Knowing the amount of available resources makes it possible to discuss requests in detail and set priorities.’ It is a genuine dialog, based on scientific objec- tives and the human and financial resources they entail. ‘This new CURIE supercomputer designed by Bull for the National Large-Scale administrative procedure is part of the scientific governance carried Computing Center (Genci), able to perform up to 2 million billion operations out jointly by CNRS, the universities, and other organizations when per second. necessary. It stems from a partnership involving all parties,’ notes Xavier Inglebert, Chief Resources Officer. Committed partners The administrative dialog process was tested in 2010 by all CNRS administrative departments, institutes, regional offices, and 80 pilot research units. It was extended to 200 units in 2011, for the 2012 budget allocation. ‘It will eventually involve 400 units,’ says Catherine Larroche. ‘We will choose those with the greatest financial, human, or strategic potential.’ Despite the lack of historical perspective, there ••• ‘This new administrative dialog is part of the scientific governance carried out jointly by CNRS, universities, and other organizations. It stems from a partnership involving all parties.’ Xavier Inglebert, Chief Resources Officer 57 2011 A year at CNRS
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