Strengthening academic partnerships at regional to global scales
Addressing the major challenges ahead in research and scientific training and maintaining a strong position amid intensifying international competition is a major priority for INRAE. This priority is consistent with our role as a research operator throughout France and in partnership with universities and as a national funding agency. It aims to strengthen our strategy for European and international partnerships.
- Coordinate the French scientific community in the fields of agriculture, food, and the environment
- Strengthen our commitment to site-based initiatives
- Support INRAE’s role within the European Research Area
- Strengthen our international leadership
Focus
TSARA, transforming food systems and agriculture
Launched in March 2022, the international TSARA initiative—Transforming Food Systems and Agriculture through Research in Partnership with Africa—is composed of 22 African and French members from 14 different countries. It aims to develop long-term collaborative research to support the transformation of food and agricultural systems. It addresses the challenges that Africa and Europe must tackle together through the sharing of knowledge and best practices, as well as sustainable, high-impact projects and initiatives in research, innovation, and training.
Given the need for knowledge, training, and innovation, as well as the transitions taking place in food and environmental systems, it is essential for INRAE to cooperate closely with academic stakeholders in research and higher education.
At the national level, INRAE plays a pivotal role by fostering scientific communities, coordinating the Agralife programme agency, leading research programmes, and contributing to the major challenges of France 2030. The institute is also strengthening its presence throughout French regions by supporting the research-education-innovation campus strategy led by universities; it is a member of 19 university research and innovation clusters.
Strengthen INRAE's European and international presence
At the European level, INRAE aligns with the European Union’s strategic priorities. The institute participates in numerous programmes and research infrastructures, while strongly supporting its researchers’ involvement in coordinating European projects. Its bilateral partnerships and its integration into influential networks also strengthen its capacity for action with institutions. It helps shape and organize expertise and support for public policies at the European level.
Internationally, INRAE is developing a structured network of scientific partnerships to address major global challenges. It mobilizes a wide range of tools (international associated laboratories, research networks, joint calls for mobility) and participates in numerous interdisciplinary programmes on climate, biodiversity, One Health, and the transformation of agricultural and food systems. These initiatives aim to overcome major scientific bottlenecks through strengthened collaborations, enhanced observation and modelling methods, and the testing of local innovations in living labs.
Priority actions provide concrete ways to implement each of the short-, medium-, and long-term policy directions.
- A proactive policy of engagement in education and training
- A European research alliance to better address major challenges
- Contributing to France’s international leadership on key issues.
