Major programmes at the University of Bordeaux: new programming extending to 2027

Quel est le rôle des grands programmes à l'université de Bordeaux ?

Catherine Gauthier: The University of Bordeaux has an ambitious development plan, for which it mobilises various resources, such as the Initiative of Excellence (IdEx) endowment, the 2023-2025 Objectives, Means and Performance Contract (COMP), and funding obtained through calls for projects (France 2030, Horizon Europe, etc.) with its academic and research partners. This funding supports the "major programmes" that enable us to translate our collective ambitions into concrete, visible and sustainable actions.

In an increasingly constrained budgetary context, marked by a gradual erosion of sustainable resources and a growing dependence on project-based funding, these major programmes are nevertheless structural levers for the university's transformation strategy, guaranteeing our future. It is through these programmes that we are working to support impactful research, encourage education focused on student success, develop innovation open to all, strengthen the link between science and society to support transitions, affirm our European and international commitment, ensure the university is a responsible institution, and ensure the well-being of our communities.

Due to the multiplicity and technical nature of these major programmes, it was sometimes difficult to understand how they fit into the university's overall strategy, or even simply to navigate them. We therefore sought to simplify their interpretation for our communities and partners, and to improve the balance between the agility offered by these mechanisms and the stability necessary to accomplish the university's fundamental missions.

How are these programmes developed and monitored?

Étienne Duguet: The university has redesigned its governance structure to implement its development strategy in the form of themes and to monitor its progress, in order to verify its proper implementation and effectiveness. While the Strategic Advisory Committee defines the broad guidelines for the institution's development, the Executive Committee oversees their implementation, mobilising resources from IdEx, COMP and major programmes. In addition, to guarantee the effectiveness of the actions undertaken, Operational Thematic Committees ensure the deployment, monitoring and development of the measures, according to the seven themes mentioned above by Catherine Gauthier. Finally, we seek to ensure the alignment and impact of actions at the site level by involving the university's academic, regional and institutional partners through the Development Committee (CODEV).

Why implement a programming framework for 2025-2027?

Étienne Duguet: The 2025–2027 programming framework marks a key milestone for the University of Bordeaux. First, it translates the institution's strategic priorities, set out in its "Horizon 2030" strategic plan, into an operational, clear and planned structure that is accessible to all. But this programming framework also creates greater consistency: it links the IdEx funding calendars, major programmes, budgetary exercises and mandates, enabling optimal mobilisation of resources and energies while limiting "disruption effects". The link with IdEx funding, in particular, which was redistributed in 2024 (to take effect from 2025), is essential: together, the major programmes and IdEx constitute a real driving force and catalyst for change for the university's missions. They provide the University of Bordeaux a freedom of action without which only budgetary constraints would apply.

In 2027, a review phase will take place to decide whether to continue these programmes and create new ones for the following period, based on the strategic priorities at that time. Some ambitious programmes, such as the major research programmes, cover several programming periods and include their own review and extension phases. The main challenge now is to raise the profile of the actions supported and thus the opportunities offered to the academic community and partners for future collaborations.