Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique is the largest governmental research organization in France under the administrative authority of France's Ministry of Research and the largest fundamental science agency in Europe. CNRS evaluates and carries out all research capable of advancing knowledge and bringing social, cultural, and economic benefits for society. It contributes to the application and promotion of research results, and develops scientific information. It has more than 11 000 permanent staff researchers and 13 000 engineers split into more than 1 000 Laboratories (Unité Mixte de Recherche, UMR) all over the French territory. It has received 21 Nobel Prizes and 12 Fields Medals. CNRS has a central administration in Paris but delegates a number of administrative tasks in regional administrative centres (Délégations Régionales). The "délégations regionales" assist their associated laboratories in many administrative tasks including the validation of budget, time sheets, justification of expenses, etc,… for European Projects.