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The French National Research Agency (ANR) and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) signed, on September 26, 2023, a memorandum of understanding that deepens their partnership for the next five years.
The two agencies commit to continuing the co-financing of bilateral research projects, the exchange of best practices and information on research policy, notably through the organization of staff visits, conferences and joint workshops.
As part of this agreement, the ANR and NSF are offering two new funding opportunities in the field of homogeneous catalysis without precious metals and quantum technologies.
Already 50 co-financed research projects
The collaboration between the ANR and the NSF dates back to 2009. Since then, the two agencies have co-funded nearly 50 Franco-American research projects in the fields of chemistry, materials, life sciences, digital sciences and mathematics.
This new stage in their collaboration aims to strengthen ties between the two scientific communities and to stimulate cutting-edge research in areas of common interest.
The concept of "lead agency"
In order to facilitate the preparation and implementation of projects jointly proposed by French and American research teams, the two agencies rely on the "lead agency" procedure.
Each year, one agency assumes the role of lead agency and takes responsibility for the submission of proposals, the organization of the evaluation and selection of the projects submitted. The partner agency has access to all information relating to the projects and each agency finances its national teams according to its own procedures.
In 2024, the ANR will act as the lead agency for the themes "molecular chemistry" and "digital sciences, mathematics and their interactions". The NSF will act as the lead agency for the themes "quantum technologies" and "life sciences".
