Our strategy

A path to collective transformation by 2030

Since its creation in 2014, the University of Bordeaux has organised its strategy around key issues, principles, and objectives. In 2015, it adopted a ten-year strategic plan (U25), which was updated in 2021 following a participatory process that resulted in the Strategic Horizon 2030 framework document.

Through this strategic plan, the University of Bordeaux affirms its ambition : to become a university recognised as a benchmark for its contribution to society, its audiences, and major global issues. This ambition is reflected in a trajectory of continuous transformation, guided by academic excellence, open innovation, social engagement, inclusion, and the well-being of its communities.

To achieve this ambition, the University of Bordeaux mobilises all of its communities, and relies on targeted resources and shared objectives to carry out its missions and development.

A development strategy supported by IdEx Bordeaux and the Major Programmes (Grands programmes)

A number of mechanisms support the implementation of the University of Bordeaux’s development strategy, foremost among which are the Excellence Initiative (IdEx - Initiative d’excellence) and national and European structural projects (France 2030, Horizon Europe etc.), known as ”Major Programmes” (Grands programmes).

Led by the university in close collaboration with its site partners, these Major Programmes strengthen its positioning, stimulate innovation, and support community initiatives centred on high-impact education, research, innovation, or cooperation projects and enable the University of Bordeaux to expand its development strategy to new areas.

These resources supplement the funds allocated to the institution to carry out its mission of public service. 

A “framework of action” renewed around seven areas of activity

The University of Bordeaux is changing its organisation in order to better respond to major academic and societal challenges. It is breaking down barriers between disciplines and structures in order to reinforce the coherence and impact of its activity. In a constantly changing world, it is adapting its priorities, mobilising its skills, and channelling its resources in order to remain agile and committed. 

In order to guarantee a coherent and agile implementation of its development strategy, the university relies on a redesigned governance structure, based on a clear link between strategic management, programming, and action. The Strategic Management Committee defines the institution’s main priorities, while the Executive Management Committee oversees their practical implementation, deploying resources drawn from the IdEx and COMP funds, as well as other major programmes. The Operational Thematic Committees (CTOs, Comités thématiques opérationnels), organised by major areas of activity, ensure the deployment, monitoring, and development of the measures implemented. The university also involves its academic, territorial, and institutional partners within the Development Committee (CODEV, Comité de développement), created in 2020, which promotes consistency of action across the site. This organisation enhances the clarity, responsivity, and coordination of the university’s activity.

In order to translate its strategy into concrete action, the University of Bordeaux has introduced a programming schedule until 2027 which breaks down the University of Bordeaux’s strategic plan into programmes and projects designed to further its development. This programme schedule is based around seven areas of thematic activity.

Seven areas of thematic activity

In this context, the university has redesigned the governance of its Major Programmes around seven operational bodies, the Operational Thematic Committees (CTOs), which are responsible for supervising a thematic package of programmes and initiatives within the Major Programmes and the Objectives, Resources and Performance Agreement (COMP, Contrat d’objectifs de moyens et de performance), and for their development. 

Cross-functional issues nourish these seven areas of activity, illustrating the University of Bordeaux’s priorities in terms of interdisciplinarity, appeal, and talent development.