Melbourne signs Australian-first agreement with French science agency
Researchers in France and Melbourne will be more closely connected following a landmark agreement between the University of Melbourne and the Centre de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).
The CNRS, or French National Centre for Scientific Research, is the largest fundamental research organization in Europe. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Melbourne is an Australian first.
The agreement will support a Researcher Visits Program, which will fund three University of Melbourne projects annually over a four-year period to increase research collaboration between the two countries.
Researchers will be eligible for up to $10,000 AUD, with an initial total program budget of $80,000 in place. CNRS will provide equivalent funding for its nearly 12,000 researchers.
Beyond the exchange of researchers between institutions, the agreement will also promote the organization of joint conferences and seminars, joint publication of research results and other scientific cooperation.
Founded in 1939, the CNRS undertakes research across all areas of science via 10 distinct research institutes, covering biological sciences, chemistry, ecology and environment, information and computer sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics, human and social sciences, physics, earth sciences and astronomy, and nuclear and particle physics.
In announcing the agreement, the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor James McCluskey said the agreement will lead to greater collaboration between researchers.
“The program reflects our mutual interest in collaborating to address some of our most difficult and shared challenges,” Professor McCluskey said.
The agreement with CNRS is funded by the university’s Research at Melbourne: Ensuring Excellence and Impact to 2025 strategy. The strategy is investing more than $100 million AUD over the next five years to broaden the university’s research goals.
Professor Dick Strugnell, Pro Vice Chancellor (Graduate Research) who was involved in establishing the program said, “The agreement represents an outstanding opportunity for the university to work more closely with one of the world’s best science organizations.”
University of Melbourne Faculty of Science
As one of the oldest science faculties in Australia, the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne provides a range of postgraduate training programs and community services, based on a solid foundation of research in the pure and applied sciences. It comprises four schools and five departments, which include the following:
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Genetics
- Information Systems
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Zoology
Master of Science at the University of Melbourne
The Master of Science is run through the Melbourne Graduate School. A distinctive suite of programs designed to provide options in advanced research training, specialised coursework studies and professional skills development.
Designed in consultation with national and international educators, as well as government and industry employers, the Master of Science prepares students for a career in industry and research. It is also a foundation for entry into the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
As a pathway to PhD studies, the Master of Science has a key component in the form of a research project. This provides ideal preparation for potential research higher degree studies, or sufficient expertise for graduates to be considered experts in a scientific field.
*
Ask A Question
Ask us about your program of interest, or if you have a question about our services.
CONTACT US TODAY