Transitions: call for innovation in research laboratories

In the face of the climate emergency, economic change and contemporary social challenges, research laboratories are increasingly being called upon to play a leading role in transitions. But what if research began by transforming itself? This is the ambition of the "Trajectoire des labos" (lab trajectories) programme, led within the framework of the ACT (Augmented University for Campus and World Transition) project, which seeks to turn universities into open-air laboratories. Behind this programme is a desire to foster, support and amplify grassroots initiatives that reinvent scientific practices through experimentation, sustainability and shared resources.

Open to all research units under the supervision of the University of Bordeaux, the call for projects offers tailored support and a 290,000 € budget for the years 2025-2026. An opportunity to turn ideas into a force for collective transformation.

Eligible projects: innovation, sustainability and collaboration

Projects can cover a wide range of actions: acquisition of small eco-friendly equipment, development of more sustainable methodologies, facilitation of transition initiatives, or even the creation of positions (internships, student jobs, fixed-term contracts) to support the laboratories' projects, assessments and action plans.

Specific examples highlight the diversity of funded initiatives thus far:

• Consignment store: on the Carreire site, the purchase of laboratory consumables represents an expenditure of more than 2.5 million euros per year. The production and daily delivery of these products have a significant carbon impact. Funded project: a consignment store on the Carreire campus in Bordeaux will enable four research units to share consumables, reducing deliveries and costs. The ACT programme is funding the store's construction and inventory management software.
• REDPLAST_UP: life sciences research uses around 6 million tonnes of plastic every year. Each scientist uses around 15 to 20 times more plastic than the average person in Europe. Funded project: the REDPLAST_UP project tackles plastic overuse in laboratories through life cycle assessment (LCA) and optimisation tools. The ACT programme is funding two fixed-term contracts for project staff.
• Acetone recycling: the Institute of Molecular Sciences (ISM) consumes over 1,000 litres of acetone every year as part of its research activities. From production to disposal, this solvent has a significant environmental impact. Funded project: thanks to a high-performance recycling system (in French), ISM is now able to reuse 75% of its acetone consumption. The ACT programme has funded the purchase of a high-performance cooler that distils acetone vapours to enable reuse.

Please note: there is no funding limit, but projects relating to human resources or requiring a budget of more than 23,000 € will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. All types of expenditure are eligible, with a few exceptions: no replacement of scientific equipment, no property renovation projects, and no one-off awareness-raising initiatives (which are covered by another programme also run by the University of Bordeaux's Institute for Transitions).

Co-funding is possible, for example with the INRAE "Pépinière" call for proposals, the CNRS "Transition écologique", "Qualité de vie et conditions de travail" and "Égalité & diversité" calls for proposals, etc.

"Trajectoire des labos" is part of the ACT programme, which receives state funding managed by the National Research Agency under the Investissements for the future programme, reference ANR-20-IDES-0001.