The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a French public research institute under the administrative direction of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research. It is the largest fundamental science agency in Europe and the world’s leading research organization in many fields.
CNTS was created in 1939 by decree of Prime Minister Édouard Daladier. Its first director general was Henri de Saint-Simon, who oversaw its establishment and oversaw its early development until his death in 1941. The current director general is Antoine Petit.
The CNRS conducts both basic and applied research in a wide range of scientific disciplines, with a particular focus on physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, informatics, and engineering sciences. It employs approximately 32000 full-time employees, including nearly 10000 researchers (both tenured and non-tenured), 13000 engineers and technicians, 3000 support staff, and 1000 administrative staff.
In 2017, CNRS had a budget of €3 billion euros which represented about 12% of total government investment in fundamental science in France that year. The majority of CNRS funding comes from the French state; however it also receives significant funding from other sources such as the European Union (EU), other national governments (particularly Germany), philanthropic foundations, and private companies.
CNRS operates numerous research facilities across France, including several large campuses such as those at Gif-sur-Yvette south of Paris (headquarters), Meudon west of Paris , Grenoble in southeastern France , Toulouse in southwestern France , Rennes in northwestern France . These are typically large multi-disciplinary sites that host multiple institutes within CNRS as well as other academic institutions and businesses.
In addition to its own research facilities , CNRS also has partnerships with over 400 other institutions around the world , including universities , other public research organizations , private companies , and international organizations . These partnerships allow CNRS to extend its reach beyond France’s borders and conduct joint research projects with scientists from all over the world .