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Research infrastructure

The exceptional performance of the research infrastructure shared by scientists has helped make remarkable progress in a number of fields. The CNRS plays a leading role in implementing and managing these facilities, both at the national and international levels.

Facilities for the benefit of the scientific community

In collaboration with its French, European, and international partners, the CNRS manages approximately 80 research infrastructures (IR) and very large-scale research facilities (TGIR), for the benefit of the entire scientific community. Researchers across all disciplines thereby have access, in top-level environments, to high-performance equipment for conducting ambitious research projects in cutting-edge fields.

TGIR are places where knowledge is furthered and the society of the future is built.
Gabriel Chardin, President TGIR Committee

Interview with Gabriel Chardin (in French)

Diversified resources

Remarkable instruments such as telescopes, accelerators, synchrotrons, etc., located at one or more sites, are iconic. Yet other first-class scientific resources (collections, archives, or libraries) can be important research infrastructures. Some platforms (databases, IT systems, and communication networks) are virtual, while others consist of human (cohorts, experts) or observation networks.

.The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble (French Alps) brings together twelve member states and six associated countries, which use the ultra-bright light beams to study a broad range of materials. © G. Admans / ESRF
The national network of human sciences centres (MSH) enables the 23 MSH located throughout France to pool their financial resources, combine their activities, and access national infrastructure in the Humanities and Social Sciences. © DR
Using a network of sensors deployed off the coast of Toulon (southeastern France), the KM3Net neutrino telescope project can measure the luminous flash generated in deep water sea by interactions between neutrinos in the Earth’s crust and the ocean © Edward Berbee / Nikhef (Vue d'artiste)
The Ecotrons research infrastructure provides researchers with novel and cutting-edge experimental tools for testing theories and models relating to the functioning of ecosystems. © Hubert Raguet / CNRS Photothèque
The High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS), deployed on the Gamsberg plateau in Namibia, detects very high-energy gamma rays. HESS provides invaluable information on some of the most violent phenomena in the Universe.© Julien Bolmont / Collaboration HESS / CNRS Photothèque
Renater provides national and international connectivity by pooling research and education telecommunication infrastructures. The network adapts to both technological innovations and available infrastructure. © Emmanuel Perrin / LAAS / CNRS Photothèque
The European X-ray Free Electron Laser (E-XFEL) near Hamburg (Germany) is a linear accelerator that produces photons across a wide energy range. It will notably enable direct viewing of atomic motion, along with its temporal analysis.© Reimo Schaaf / European XFEL

 

International distribution

Owing to the diversity of research fields and collaborations, the research infrastructures in which the CNRS is involved are spread across the globe. While most are in France or elsewhere in Europe, others are located on the American continent, in Africa, and as far away as Antarctica.

Four types of infrastructure

The scientific and technological issues at stake, along with the construction and operating costs related to these infrastructures, require intensive and often international collaboration and resources – whether human or financial. The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research distinguishes between four types of infrastructure depending on their national or international scope, mode of governance, and budgetary support:

  • international organisations (OI) based on an intergovernmental agreement,
  • very large-scale research infrastructures (TGIR) linked to a governmental strategy,
  • research infrastructures (IR) directly implemented by the CNRS and its partners,
  • projects that have not yet reached maturity.

Horizontal management

The CNRS opted to implement horizontal management for the TGIR. A dedicated committee, reporting to the CNRS Research Office, develops the organisation’s scientific strategy in consultation with its ten Institutes. To carry out its mission, the committee enjoys support from the TGIR unit of the CNRS Resources Office.

 

National and European roadmaps

The CNRS’s TGIR operate in accordance with the roadmaps of both the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)..

  • The national roadmap is a strategic governmental management tool. It is updated every two years according to a process taking into account alliances, and supervisory organisations or institutions.
  • The ESFRI uses the roadmap to sketch out the European financing strategy for research infrastructures within the framework of the European Research Area. The CNRS contributes to ESFRI projects that relate to its own programming...

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