Hcéres recognizes Aix-Marseille's MER
IRD's Hcéres evaluation report repeatedly highlights the Aix-Marseille site's Mission Europe pour la Recherche (MER). This shared unit, which brings together Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Inserm and IRD, is identified as a structuring example of support for European projects.
A system recognized for its effectiveness
The committee highlights several major assets of the MER.
First and foremost, it provides support as close as possible to the research units, in line with the decentralization strategy implemented by the IRD since 2022.
The MER also provides comprehensive support for the entire lifecycle of European projects: preparation, drafting, negotiation, non-financial management and coordination. This organization contributes to the increased professionalization of support functions and significant efficiency gains.
These elements are reflected in concrete results, with an excellent success rate and an identified potential for strengthening IRD's participation in European projects.
An illustration of IRD's strategic commitment
In a context of constrained resources, the report stresses the need to strengthen mutualization approaches at the scale of university sites.
IRD's commitment to the MER is fully in line with this dynamic.
This approach helps to consolidate the Institute's ability to respond to European calls for proposals, while promoting synergies between establishments.
A model to be consolidated and deployed
Hcéres explicitly identifies the MER as a successful experiment.
The report therefore encourages the IRD to pursue the development of shared support functions with its partners, drawing on examples such as that of Aix-Marseille.
The Mission Europe pour la Recherche is, in this respect, an operational and reproducible model, to the benefit of the Institute's research units and its European influence.
➡️ The Hcéres report is available at: https: //www.hceres.fr/fr/annuaire-des-etablissements/institut-de-recherche-pour-le-developpement-ird
