The “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique” (National Center for Scientific Research) is a government- funded research organization, under the administrative authority of France’s Ministry of Research. With more than 34.000 staff (researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff), a 2010 budget of 3.204 billion euros and an implementation on all national territory, the CNRS is active in all fields of knowledge, drawing on more than 1200 research groups. CNRS conducts research in all scientific, technological and societal like mathematics, physics, communications, nuclear physics, chemistry, social sciences, environmental sciences or engineering. The CNRS is present in all major disciplines grouped within ten institutes.