French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and its Tools for International Cooperation
On 18 October 2011 Prof. Vladimir Mayer delivered a seminar on "French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and its Tools for International Cooperation"
On 18 October 2011 Prof. Vladimir Mayer delivered a seminar on "French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and its Tools for International Cooperation", introducing the internationalization strategy of CNRS.
The French National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS) is one of the leading European public research centers. The CNRS follows a strong internationalization strategy. Around 5000 foreign researchers visit CNRS laboratories annually, of the CNRS staff 1400 permanent researchers hold foreign nationality and 25 % of staff is recruited from abroad annually. International activities are an integral part of the work of CNRS researchers. Typically CNRS‘ international activities cover 2 geographic areas with different modes of action: the European Union - building the European Research Area (Commission actions + bilateral) and the international dimension with building and maintaining partnerships in areas of local excellence or particular resources (bi-multi-lateral).
Typically collaborations are initiated by CNRS researchers and / or their colleagues’ abroad (“bottom up approach”). Collaboration proposals are then selected by scientific institutes based on excellence mainly with no explicit disciplinary, thematic or geographic priorities. Support to collaboration however is usually mobility supported but no a basic research funding. In addition an approximate parity in funding is requested (CNRS versus Foreign Partner) thus CNRS does not give direct research support to a Foreign Partner. Usually such agreements are embedded in overarching framework agreements with foreign partner organizations as leverage for generating co-funding (especially valid in the post soviet area). Basically five major measures have been taken by CNRS regarding internationalization. Exchange mobility agreements (travel), International Scientific Cooperation Projects (PICS), International Research Networks (GDRI), International Associated Laboratories (LIA) and International Joint Units (UMI).
International Projects of Scientific Cooperation (PICS) last 3 years with an indicative CNRS funding of 7 k€/year for short research stays, meetings, minor research operating costs. Preconditions for PICS are that a cooperative research effort is already well underway structured around a well-defined research theme reviewed for excellence consider the CNRS and the partner’s priorities.
International Research Networks (GDRI)are networks of research laboratories (public and private) from several countries on a specific topic gathering 10 laboratories at average for a period of 4 years CNRS funds on average 10 - 20 k€/year. Funding primarily covers mobility, the organization of seminars and workshops and the coordination of laboratories
International Associated Laboratories (LIA) are virtual laboratories “without walls” associating scientific teams from two to three countries for performing a common specific research program. Teams keep their autonomy, their status, their directors and own locations. Funding primarily covers mobility, partly operational costs and small equipment for 4 years (renewable once) up to around 15 - 20 k€/year.
International Joint Laboratory (UMI) are joint undertakings between 2 countries/2 institutions for a period of 4 years with the possibility of renewal for 2 more terms. UMI aims at the creation of a fully functioning research laboratory jointly established in a partner country or in France. Both institutions assign staff and budget, the director is jointly nominated by the 2 partners.
In 2010 CNRS has invested a total of 1,2M€ (2010) in cooperation with partners in Russia with research networks and PCIS being the most frequently used instruments.
|
2004 |
2006 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011* | |
|
Int. joint labs |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Int. assoc. labs |
1 |
6 |
8 |
13 |
16 | |
|
Research nets |
6 |
13 |
19 |
23 |
21 | |
|
PICS |
20 |
40 |
62 |
69 |
63 |
54 |
|
Exchange agreement |
67 |
60 |
43 |
43 |
39 |
39 |
* preliminary data
In 2010 a total of 123 cooperative projects were undertaken with the support of CNRS. The majority of cooperative project supported by CNRS were conducted in the Moscow region (65 projects), St. Petersburg (14), the Central region (13) and Siberia (17). Most co operations were between CNRS and research organizations in Russia (103) were the Russian Academy of Science was the preferred partner accounting for 95 cooperative projects. Universities were partners in 22 projects with Moscow State University (11 projects) being the most frequently involved partner.