Since it was founded over 80 years ago, France’s National Center for Scientific Research, CNRS, has established itself as the largest public research body in Europe and the second largest in the world.
A leader in addressing our current scientific challenges, the CNRS comprises 1,100 laboratories, 11,000 scientists, and 80 international laboratories dedicated to virtually all areas of science.
CNRS is dedicated to fostering strong relationships with international research centers and institutes to encourage the exchange of knowledge and the development of a shared scientific culture. Today, over 65% of its publications are co-authored with international laboratories.
These collaborations are particularly strong with the United States, with more than 15,000 co-publications each year with prestigious institutions such as NASA, the California Institute of Technology, MIT, and Harvard.
This partnership is further strengthened by the creation of CNRS’s six International Research Centers (IRCs) abroad. These centers promote strategic dialogue with academic partners and leverage the expertise of both institutions around targeted research themes.
The first International Research Center, the France-Arizona Institute for Global Grand Challenges, was inaugurated in April 2021 in partnership with the University of Arizona, under the motto: “Fundamental research at the service of society.”
Established to address major scientific challenges across the environmental, social, and digital domains, this IRC has since generated significant new projects and co-publications. (Source: In Arizona, the first IRC of the CNRS is a success – France in the United States / Embassy of France in Washington, D.C..)
Today, more than ever, independent research is essential to advancing knowledge and driving progress. At Friends of Fondation de France, we are proud to support research institutions like CNRS, which share our commitment to international cooperation. Highlighting the value of cross-border philanthropy, the first-ever donation to Fondation CNRS was given through Friends of Fondation de France.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we celebrate our nonprofit partners advancing research, like CNRS, which continue to deepen French-American collaboration in the pursuit of global solutions to shared challenges.
Find out more about Fondation CNRS and its incredible work in our case study, featured in our 25th Anniversary Report.
