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Updated on: 17/11/2025
The University of Bordeaux has approved the continuation of all seven of its Major Research Programmes (GPRs) for a second phase. As keystones of the institution's academic strategy, these programmes will be extended and intensified over an additional four years, with enhanced ambitions in terms of excellence and impact.
In September 2021, the University of Bordeaux officially designated seven Major Research Programmes (GPRs), interdisciplinary projects of international scope, each one focused on a major academic or scientific issue: BPS, Brain_2030, HOPE, Human Past, IPORA, LIGHT and PPM (see below).
Designed to run for eight years, in line with the university's strategy until 2030, these programmes underwent their planned mid-term review this year in 2025. The review process took place between January and July 2025, involving three international experts for each one, who were tasked with analysing their trajectory, management, future roadmap, their results, etc.
On the basis of the reviewers' reports and the responses of the GPR management bodies, a consensus report was drafted and submitted to the university's Operational Thematic Committee (CTO) for Impactful Research, which proposed that the seven GPRs be continued from 1 January 2026 until 2029. This decision was approved by the institution's Executive Management Committee (CodirEx, chaired by the university president).
The 'Major Research Programmes' initiative represents an overall budget of 62 million euros over eight years. At its outset, it marked a new departure in the academic policy of the institution, continuing along the same lines as the LabEx and Excellence Clusters, but with management now provided directly by the university and its research departments.
These programmes do not encompass the entire academic policy of the university, but they embody a form of excellence and a benchmark. As true hallmarks of the institution, some have been able to draw on already well-established forces and a recognised critical mass of researchers, while others have emerged from interdisciplinary crossovers made possible by the structure of the university itself. All of them are based on a collective dynamic, shared with major partner research organisations.
The GPR initiative aims to structure the university's academic strategy around clearly identified priorities, while at the same time affirming its multidisciplinary signature. It encourages connections between departments and partners in order to strengthen interdisciplinary, collaborative, responsible research which is rooted in major societal issues, consistent with sustainable development objectives and more firmly anchored in its region.
The public investment in 2021 was aiming for a true leverage effect: for every euro pledged, the goal was to generate at least one more thanks to additional funding, whether public or private.
This goal has been more than successfully achieved, as, since they were launched, the GPRs have demonstrated their capacity to attract new funding. On top of the 32 million euros invested during the initial phase (2021–2025), they have generated nearly 191 million euros in additional funding (ANR, Région et Europe, etc.) — so six times more.
The programmes also enabled the recruitment of 350 people on fixed-term contracts, the funding of 109 masters internships, and the production of more than 500 publications during the initial phase.
For Nathalie Sans, the institution's Vice-President for Research, 'The continuation of these programmes represents a major milestone for our university and for all the teams involved. The exemplary commitment of those in charge of the GPRs and the teams involved in the review process, which was carried out with rigour and transparency, has been hailed by the experts. Their glowing feedback affirms not only the robustness and relevance of the model we have constructed together, but also the academic excellence of these projects and the management which characterises them. These recognitions confirm that our institution is now in possession of effective strategic mechanisms, which are essential for meeting current and future research challenges.'
led by Yves Gibon, Inrae research director at the Fruit Biology and Pathology Laboratory (BFP — Inrae and University of Bordeaux) and Jérôme Joubès, university professor at the Membrane Biogenesis Laboratory (LBM – CNRS and University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To study and master the trade-offs between production and resistance to environmental stresses in plants, in order to develop more resilient and environmentally friendly agriculture
Lead research department: Environmental Sciences
Other research departments involved: Social Sciences of Contemporary Change (CHANGES)
Other structures involved: Biogeco, BFP, EGFV, Ispa, BxSE, LBM, Mycsa, Œnologie, Save, BIC, BIC—PIV (Bordeaux Imaging Centre—Plant Imaging Unit) and Vine Wine Grande Ferrade
led by Daniel Choquet, CNRS research director at the Multidisciplinary Neurosciences Institute (IINS — CNRS and University of Bordeaux) Goal: To explore the functioning of the brain and its pathologies, from molecules to behaviour Lead research department: Bordeaux Neurocampus
Other research departments involved: Sciences and Technologies for Health (STS), Biological and Medical Sciences (SBM), Materials and Radiation Sciences (SMR), and Engineering and Digital Sciences (SIN)
Other structures involved: IINS, IMN, Incia, Neurocentre Magendie, Nutrineuro, Sanpsy and BIC
Pages web
led by Olivier Bargain, professor at the Bordeaux Economic Sciences Laboratory (BxSE – CNRS and University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To study individual well-being and behaviours, and to put the social sciences back at the centre of social and political debate in order to improve collective thinking and public decision-making Lead research department: Evolution, Behaviour, and Organisations (ECOr) Other research departments involved: Social Sciences of Contemporary Change (CHANGES), Law and Social Transformation (DETS), Public Health and Environmental Sciences
Other structures involved: BxSE LabPsy, BPH, COMPTRASEC, IRGO, LACES and PASSAGES
Web page (in french)
led by Yann Heuzé, CNRS research director, and Mélanie Pruvost, CNRS research director at the From Prehistory to the Present Laboratory: Culture, Environment, and Anthropology (Pacea — CNRS, Ministry of Culture and University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To understand the trajectories by which the members of one branch of Hominini has come to occupy all the ecosystems on the planet by developing cognitive, technological, and social adaptations unparalleled in the animal world.
Lead research department: Archaeological Sciences
Other research departments involved: Social Sciences of Contemporary Change (CHANGES), and Sciences and Technologies for Health (STS), and Bordeaux Neurocampus
Other structures involved: Pacea, Ausonius, Archéosciences Bordeaux, EPOC, CBMN and FSAB — The Federation of Archaeological Sciences of Bordeaux (Fédération des sciences archéologiques de Bordeaux)
Web page
led by Tangy Bernard, professor at the Bordeaux Economic Sciences Laboratory (BxSE – CNRS and University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To analyse the systemic and multidimensional aspects of the new challenges facing African societies, by the creation of a new type of more interdisciplinary research network
Lead research department: Evolution, Behaviour, and Organisations (ECOr)
Other research departments involved: Public Health Social Sciences of Contemporary Change (CHANGES)
Other structures involved: BPH, BxSE, LAM and COMPTRASEC
led by Brahim Lounis, Professor of the University of Bordeaux at the Photonics, Digital, and Nanosciences Laboratory (LP2N — CNRS, IOGS and University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To develop high-impact support in light science and applications, in order to position itself at the forefront of the current photonic and quantum revolutions.
Lead research department: Material and Radiation Sciences
Other research departments involved: Bordeaux Neurocampus, Engineering and Digital Sciences (SIN), and Sciences and Technologies for Health (STS)
Other structures involved: LP2N, CELIA, LOMA, CENBG, IINS, IBGC, ISM, ICMCB, CRPP, IMS, I2M, CBMN, IECB, LCPO, BIC, and ELORPrintTec
led by Daniel Taton, Professor of the University of Bordeaux at the Laboratory of Organic Polymer Chemistry (LCPO - Bordeaux INP, CNRS, and the University of Bordeaux)
Goal: To rethink materials chemistry based on the principle of 'circular chemistry' focusing on the sustainability of materials, greater efficiency and lower energy consumption, minimising waste, promoting the use of bio-resources, recycling, and in situ monitoring of their use and/or condition and decomposition
Other research departments involved: Engineering and Digital Sciences (SIN), Sciences and Technologies for Health (STS), and Evolution, Behaviour, and Organisations (ECOr)
Other structures involved: CRPP, ICMCB, ISM, LCPO, LCTS, LOF, CRPP, LOMA, I2M, IMS, CBMN and BxSE
