The institutions of the ComUE Lyon Saint-Étienne have outlined their joint scientific strategy, with the announcement of two new interdisciplinary thematic institutes and two disciplinary coordination networks. This strategy is based on a dual disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, with the aim of creating solid disciplinary foundations in both training and research and establishing networks designed to foster innovative scientific approaches to major societal challenges.
Q: This scientific strategy does not involve any institutional restructuring, so how will it be financed?
Indeed, all of the institutions wanted to avoid confusing scientific strategy with institutional structuring. Among colleagues in training and research at the various institutions, the rationale for collaboration is very promising. We wanted to capitalize on this very real dynamic of the site, which, it should be noted, has exceptional potential with more than 170 laboratories, 7,000 faculty members, and 5,000 PhD students. Our ambition is not to provide an administrative structure, but rather to work together in the very exercise of our missions, in order to better address the scientific challenges we face and to guarantee a high level of training that is adapted to the needs of today's world. This is what our socio-economic partners and local authorities expect of us, and it is also what makes us recognized and attractive internationally.
The proposed financing model is original. I told the AEF that since “we weren't sure the government would help us, we decided to help ourselves.” How? By setting aside seed funding of €11 million over three years, of which €1.1 million per year comes from pooling the ANR's pre-allocation shares. The remaining €7 million will be taken from the ComUE [Community of Universities and Institutions] working capital, which still needs to be approved by the ComUE Board of Directors in December 2025. The aim is really to seek funding, particularly from Europe, while also mobilizing the additional HR resources made available by the COMP [Objectives, Resources and Performance Contracts].
Q: Among the first multidisciplinary institutes announced, in addition to SHAPE-Med@Lyon, which pioneered the model, there is an institute led by Lyon 1, Global Challenges, Territories, Transitions, and another led by Lyon 2, Food, Gastronomy, Nutrition. What about ENS de Lyon's projects?
ENS de Lyon spearheaded the AILyS project on artificial intelligence, which now involves 11 associate members in a consortium (Lyon 1, Lyon 2, Lyon 3, UJM, HCL, École Centrale de Lyon, École des Mines de St Étienne, INSA, ENTPE, VetAgro Sup, ENS de Lyon). In addition, the first event dedicated to innovations in artificial intelligence will be held on November 12 on the region's digital campus. AILyS is expected to join a future interdisciplinary institute dedicated to artificial intelligence, covering everything from concepts to applications, not to mention the challenges involved. This institute will be led by ENS de Lyon and launched in the coming weeks.
Q: What is your view of the new dynamics that have been set in motion on the site?
Although we are not an IDEX-certified site, I am very optimistic that our renewed collective momentum will enable us to pursue this scientific strategy. Pooling some of our research funding is a strong sign. The institutions have come a long way! And this is a very good sign for leveraging recognized initiatives that are already working very well, from the Collégium to Shape-Med to the Maison des Mathématiques et de l'Informatique, which only our combined efforts made it possible to sustain at the end of Labex MiLyon, and for developing new ones.
This seems all the more important to me given that science is under attack and that we must absolutely present a united front to defend research activities across all disciplines, within the framework of vigorous and preserved academic freedom.
Read the press release on the Lyon Saint-Étienne scientific strategy (in French)