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French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)

3 rue Michel-Ange, 75016 Paris

About us

The Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) is France’s leading multidisciplinary research organization. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, its mission is to advance knowledge and transfer it to society.
The CNRS employs over 33,000 people, including 16,000 researchers and 16,000 engineers and technicians. Its organization comprises ten specialized institutes covering all scientific fields, from physics to the humanities, as well as some twenty regional delegations. Its vocation is twofold: to conduct fundamental research and to apply it to meet contemporary challenges.

CNRS works closely with universities, grandes écoles and companies to stimulate innovation. It plays a key role in coordinating national programs, notably as part of the France 2030 initiative.
CNRS is heavily involved in research on nuclear energy and its societal challenges. It participates in the NEEDS program (Nucléaire : Energie, Environnement, Déchets, Société), which aims to federate interdisciplinary nuclear research. In particular, CNRS collaborates with IRSN on crucial topics such as :

  • Alteration of materials used in nuclear components and structures
  • Earthquakes and soil-structure interactions
  • New nuclear techniques for health
  • The development of sensors and advanced metrology

Collaboration between CNRS and the International Institute for Nuclear Energy (I2EN) focuses on improving nuclear training in France and internationally. It enables CNRS to benefit from privileged access to an international network of students and researchers, and to exchange knowledge, thereby enriching the research projects carried out by CNRS in this crucial field.

Key figures

10 strategic scientific institutes, including a nuclear institute (IN2P3)31,876 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including 23,873 permanent staff1,000 research laboratories3.7 billion budget (2021)76% of the budget comes from state subsidies255 research associate positions open to competition by 2025