The CNRS in France requires modernization and a reform in funding

24 Nov, 2023

The CNRS in France requires modernization and a reform in funding

France's preeminent research institute, the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), is under scrutiny as an international expert group highlights bureaucratic hurdles, funding deficiencies, and governance opacity in a recent report.

The report acknowledges CNRS's global scientific significance but emphasizes critical shortcomings. Chief among them is the "administrative burden" at all levels, hindering scientific endeavors. The report calls for urgent action to alleviate this burden, proposing a "commando operation" to substantially reduce bureaucratic overheads, particularly affecting young researchers who spend up to 50% of their time on administrative tasks.

Concerns extend to CNRS's budget of €3.7 billion in 2021, with calls for diversified and sustainable financing. The report highlights the risk posed by declining competitive salaries for engineers, technicians, and researchers, jeopardizing CNRS's excellence.

Human resources development and inadequate training opportunities are also criticized, alongside governance challenges. The report calls for transparency in decision-making processes and a re-examination of organizational roles and relationships.

While acknowledging CNRS's efforts in technology transfer, the report stresses the need for reforms. CNRS welcomed the report, pledging to address bureaucratic challenges and expressing commitment to staff salary improvement.

The 12 recommendations aim at CNRS and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, setting the stage for contract negotiations for 2024–2028. This report follows a broader inquiry into France's research system, echoing calls for simplification and increased funding.

The challenges outlined in the CNRS report align with broader concerns about France's research system. Recommendations for modernization and increased investment in basic research indicate a shared ambition to navigate a more efficient and well-funded research landscape.