EMBL strengthens collaborations in the French academic landscape

A cooperation agreement has been signed between the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Ecole normale supérieure (ENS-PSL) and Collège de France.

EMBL recently signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ecole normale supérieure – one of the most selective and renowned graduate schools in France – and the prestigious research and academic institution Collège de France, which was established in Paris in 1530.
Marietta Schupp  EMBL
© Marietta Schupp / EMBL

The MoU was facilitated by EMBL’s strong and ongoing collaboration with ENS-PSL and Collège de France, as well as their common goal to advance science and disseminate knowledge in several fields for the benefit of society.

This agreement expands on a previous MoU that was formalised in 2018 between EMBL and Collège de France.

This partnership, strengthened with EMBL and extended to the Ecole Normale Supérieure, will make it possible to develop research capacities in biology at the highest European level between our three institutions, benefiting the careers of our researchers and mutually strengthening our appeal,” says Prof. Thomas Römer, administrator of Collège de France.

Edith Heard, Director General of EMBL, says: “Our ongoing synergies and common scientific ambitions led to the signing of this MoU. We are confident that it will contribute to the creation of a strong and multifaceted collaborative ecosystem between EMBL and France.

Marc Mézard, Director of ENS-PSL, is “thrilled with this new partnership among international scientific leading institutions, which will be highly beneficial to research in biology”.

By signing this MoU, the three institutions aim to develop scientific and academic collaboration in research fields of interest through joint publications, common scientific events, and applications for international collaborative funding. “This memorandum of understanding is a unique opportunity to strengthen and develop scientific, technical, and human exchanges between our three institutions and to enable the emergence of original and ambitious ideas and projects," says Pierre Paoletti, director of IBENS.

A core objective of this collaboration is to encourage mobility and training among researchers, especially for young scientists. Several opportunities will be developed in this regard, such as fostering exchanges for fellows at various career levels and organising joint training activities. In addition to fundamental research, this collaboration will focus on challenges affecting science and society using a multidisciplinary approach.