https://www.inc.cnrs.fr/en/node/11

CNRS Chemistry

Chemistry is the art of assembling atoms to create molecules and materials of the future. Therefore it is in direct contact with our daily lives. Chemists from laboratories that CNRS Chemistry steers with its academic and industrial partners are advancing knowledge both in France and abroad. Notably, their results lead to Nobel prizes in fundamental research, or are rewarded by other distinctions in more applied fields. CNRS Chemistry has many patents and start-ups and is regularly illustrated in development and innovation through new products and processes.

Structures of CNRS Chemistry

By definition, chemistry lies at the interface of many disciplines, such as biology, physics, ecology, engineering, etc. because it studies matter and its transformation. CNRS Chemistry research units are in a position to develop new tools that their partners will need. It is thus natural that CNRS Chemistry carries out its scientific policy with the other Institutes and the CNRS interdisciplinary Mission.

To implement this policy, CNRS Chemistry mobilizes its resources (personnel, laboratories, financial resources) to serve the research community in chemistry and beyond.

13 600 people in 148 laboratories

CNRS Chemistry has more than 148 laboratories that federate approximately 13,600 people employed by the CNRS and its partners: researchers, lecturers, engineers, technicians and administrators. CNRS Chemistry researchers are mainly attached to 6 disciplinary sections of the national committee for scientific research, an evaluation body with which CNRS Chemistry interacts closely. Furthermore, CNRS Chemistry benefits from the help and advice of its scientific council, which is regularly involved in the development of the Institute's policy.

Multi-partner laboratories

The laboratories attached to CNRS Chemistry are built on the model of a partnership with academic actors, various research organizations and firms, around common scientific projects.

This structuring leads CNRS Chemistry to work in consultation with universities, high-quality engineering schools, organizations such as the CEA, Inserm or Inra, but also with industry. Partnerships with foreign establishments are one of the foundation stones of its international policy.

A structure adapted to context

In agreement with its partners, CNRS Chemistry structures its laboratories in a wide variety of legal forms, adapted to different challenges: mixed research units (UMR), international research laboratories (IRL), mixed service units (UAR), intramural service units (UPS), etc.

The laboratories can themselves group together within different structures to better benefit from the complementarity of their work and to share equipment and/or research. Research federations (FR), service groupings (GDS), groups of research (GDR), scientific interest groups (GIS), etc. interact closely.

Key figures for the INC

5065 researchers and lecturers (of whom 1511 are from the CNRS)
2974 engineers and technicians (of whom 1472 are from the CNRS)
4244 PhD students and post-docs
148 research units
65 federative research structures
€28.5 million as the annual budget

_{Source: Zento 2022}

4 Nobel Prizes
240 priority patents and 11 licenses exploited in 2022
180 Start-ups

Drive and coordinate research, from the atom to material

CNRS Chemistry promotes fundamental research, a source of knowledge and applications from the perspective of design, theory, modelling, synthesis, analysis and industrial processes. Identifying emerging subjects and fostering the creative nature of the discipline is one of the central elements of its policy. However, the Institute is also keen to support outstanding actions and strategic knowledge.

To facilitate access to scientific resources

To guide his/her work, a researcher must establish the state of the art in his/her field and at the interfaces of other disciplines that share a common research aim. (S)he thus needs easy access to the most up-to-date scientific references. To guarantee scientists this broadest access to both publications and reference databases, CNRS Chemistry relies on the CNRS Institute for Scientific and Technical Information via a dedicated website.

INIST

Communicate and develop results

CNRS Chemistry communication concerns the news of its laboratories and distributes this to the general public, industry and other research stakeholders.

CNRS Chemistry communicates through the CNRS media: CNRS Le Journal, the CNRS News webzine (for the international community), the CNRS Innovation letter (intended for industrialists), the letter Live from the labs (intended for the press). Generic media such as press releases, the website and social networks enrich this communication, as do public events (CNRS Forum, Horizon Chemistry Forum, Chemistry Village) and those intended for industry and the scientific community.

Ensure safety in its laboratories

The protection of personnel, facilities and the laboratory environment is a matter of great concern for CNRS Chemistry which supports the improvement of safety in research units through fundraising campaigns for the purchase of new safety equipment, the maintenance of existing equipment and ensuring facilities are secure. These actions are managed annually by CNRS Chemistry in collaboration with the prevention and safety engineers of the CNRS's regional delegations.

A unique CNRS laboratory!

Furthermore, CNRS Chemistry coordinates the activities of the "Chemical Risk Prevention" service unit. This unit makes an important contribution on products and chemical processes used or generated in laboratories of all disciplines in terms of expertise and advice, training and information. Its actions and recommendations of a scientific, technical and regulatory nature are addressed to the scientific community and its public and private partners.

Preventing chemical risks