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Published online 27 May 2008 | Nature News 453, 573- (2008) | doi:10.1038/453573a
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France's research agency splits up
The CNRS is being carved up into separate institutes.
France's CNRS, the largest fundamental science agency in Europe, is to be reorganized into six quasi-autonomous national institutes by the end of the year. In essence, the move amounts to a dismantling of the CNRS, commentators say, replacing it with a UK-style system, which is organized by major discipline.
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I note the fact that institutes' heads will be appointed directly by the governement. One more step towards political control over basic research, following the absence of permanent scientific committee at the ANR funding agency. This would probably not be worrysome if the government had not shown previous signs of its misunderstanding of the importance of basic research for its beloved "economy of innovation". In addition, the french private sector also despises basic research and refuses to fund the applied research from which it claims to benefit, the current modifications might indeed pave the way for french public research funding to be absorbed by short-term projects with direct economic outputs for private interests. On the other hand, the current reform will probably fluidify the french research system and make it more efficient and public researchers will have to adapt. However, the system will not "attract the best scientists" unless the government and private sector truly recognize the unique role that public funded basic research has to play. In other words, all actors have to re-think there philosophical position, adapt accordingly and take their responsabilities. The international competitivity of the french public research system is probably at this price, there is still a long way to go.
Yes, it is good that the groups are being devolved, but sad that the heads are political appointments. Basic research institutes should, IMHO, be small, independent of any governmental involvement, funded privately and faculty run. I simply do not believe that the public is served by the public funding of fundamental research under any circumstance. France is served better by a little anarchy in this matter than by central control.
Some scrutiny of appointments is necessary because networking (if that's the word) tends to be strong in big long-lived institutions. A big problem with fundamental research is to find a way of letting people be driven only by their own ideas, but have some job security. The best people may not be the best managers or team workers, and you can't do very much alone.
You have to understand that this is only a "financial" move and has nothing to do with science.Sarkozy & Co. wants just to reduce the financial support for fundamental research and provide money only for short term applied research. Forget the "strategy" claims of the state department. This is only about short term investments. As Lionel says private funds also despises fundamental research.I don't belive that there will be any change as private funds avoids long term investments. No wander if in the following 10-15 years French research will be only some kind of "development public agency".