All fields of research are divided into scientific domains corresponding to the CoNRS sections and CIDs. At regular intervals, sections and CIDs analyze and review researchers' activities and the validity of associating research units with the CNRS.

Assessing researchers' activities

Throughout the course of researchers' careers, sections and CIDs give their opinion on researchers' activity as well as on requests for promotions or new assignments.

In practice, each researcher's activity is assessed periodically according to their assignment, based on the researcher's activity report and on the list of their publications.
Sections can also consult the researcher's annual activity report (CRAC).

Researchers are assessed not only according to scientific references, but also on other aspects of their work such as mobility, readiness to work with businesses, teaching and promotion of science.

Analyzing the outlook for units as part of the CNRS strategy

Every five years, sections analyze the pertinence of CNRS-associated research units, as well as that of research units that are candidates for CNRS support.
The sections rely on the HCERES Evaluation Committee's quadrennial report on the research unit's activities. Sections also issue their opinion on the pertinence of the CNRS' association with the unit according to the CNRS priority areas for scientific development.