Programme types and Processes

The ANR’s core activity is to issue calls for proposals through Programmes. In 2010, 49 calls for proposals were published in all scientific areas. Programmes may consist of a number of calls for proposals, issued within the same year or over a longer period. ANR schemes and programmes can be divided along two lines:

1. “Thematic programmes” and “Non-thematic programmes”,
2. “Open” programmes and “Public/Private Partnerships” programmes.

• Thematic programmes are the result of a top-down definition process. Responding to economic, environmental and societal demands as well as areas of scientific or technological priority, they accounted for 50% of the agency’s grants in 2010.

• Non-thematic programmes cater for researchers' creativity through a clear bottom-up process. They account for the other 50% of the agency’s grants.

• Public private partnerships programmes require at least one partner from each sector, public and private.

• Open programmes are open to both public-private partnerships and academic research.

Initiatives carried out by the ANR are organised in three processes:

1. Programme Planning defining the content of the calls for proposals each year
2. Selection of projects to be funded by applying an evaluation process based on a peer review in accordance with international standards
3. Follow-up and assessment of projects funded; a programme assessment and the dissemination of results when projects have ended.

The 3 processes have received ISO 9001 certification.