President wants to turn national research institutes into ‘programme agencies’ and give universities more autonomy, but experts question how effectively the plans can be implemented
Billion-euro plan includes greater oversight for national research institutes and the creation of a top-level council to advise the president on science. Billion-euro plan includes greater oversight for national research institutes and the creation of a top-level council to advise the president on science.
France and Europe’s largest research institute, the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), is too bureaucratic, short of money and needs more strategic and transparent governance, according to a report by an international expert group. While it commends the world-leading scientific output and importance of CNRS, the report points to several shortcomings. Chief among this is the “administrative burden” which is “too heavy at all levels”.