CNRS

cnrsThe 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, and
  • To participate in the analysis of the national and international scientific climate and its potential for evolution in order to develop a national policy.

http://www.cnrs.fr/index.html