Publication of the assessment report of the CNRS

The assessment report of the CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique), the largest research institution in France and in Europe, is made public on the Hcéres website, and presented at a press conference on November 20, 2023.

This is the first ever assessment of the CNRS organized by Hcéres, the French authority in charge of the evaluation of research and higher education institutions in France. The assessment was performed by an international assessment committee of 16 high level experts recognized as international leaders in their fields.

• Find more: Read the press release of march 30, 2023

While considering that the CNRS is a major and world-class research institution, as shown by its reputation, its size and scope, and its presence throughout France, in European science initiatives, and internationally, the assessment committee believes that the CNRS can do better. 

The assessment committee recognizes the uniqueness of the CNRS model, based primarily on the strength of joint research units with universities and other institutions (in French, unités mixtes de recherche, UMRs). However, it emphasizes that this organization calls for transparency, coordination, clear partnership strategies, and shared responsibilities.

The analyses and recommendations of the assessment committee focus on several  issues of particular importance for the future of the CNRS. These can be summarized as follows: 

• clarify the role and missions of the CNRS in France;
• modernize its governance;
• strengthen its approach to attract, support and retain the best talent;
• deepen its partnership with the French universities;
• reduce the administrative burden on the research teams;
• strengthen the emergence of new research themes and risk taking, and reinforce the ambition to research excellence through regular international reviews and benchmarking;
• accelerate the development of innovation and transfer to society;
• strengthen the CNRS commitment in European research and innovation; 
• enhance knowledge sharing and communication for the benefit of society.

The committee members reached a consensus on the assessment report. The committee identified the main strengths and weaknesses of the CNRS. It also gave 12 main recommendations that are intended to enable the CNRS to reach its full potential for the benefit of the French, European and global scientific community and society as a whole. The recommendations are mainly addressed to the CNRS; some of them are also addressed to the French Ministry of higher education and research.