Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS

The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) is a government-funded research organization, under the administrative authority of France's Ministry of Research. Founded in 1939 by governmental decree, CNRS has the following missions: * To evaluate and carry out all research capable of advancing knowledge and bringing social, cultural, and economic benefits for society * To contribute to the application and promotion of research results * To develop scientific information * To support research training * To participate in the analysis of the national and international scientific climate and its potential for evolution in order to develop a national policy CNRS research units are located throughout France, and employ a large body of tenured researchers, engineers, and support staff. Laboratories are all on renewable four-year contracts, with bi-annual evaluation. There are two types of labs: * CNRS intramural labs: fully funded and managed by CNRS (called UPR, or unités propres de recherche, in French) * Joint labs: partnered with universities, other research organizations, or industry (called UMR, or unités mixtes de recherche, in French)