2011-2013 multiannual agreement between the CRP-Gabriel Lippmann and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
After having reached nearly all of the objectives set forth in the 2008-2010 Multiannual agreement, on 15 February 2011, the CRP - Gabriel Lippmann and the Government signed a new agreement for the 2011-2013 period. This new contract confirms the partnership between the Government, and in particular the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and the centre in favour of the development of scientific research in Luxembourg for the coming years.
As such, the CRP - Gabriel Lippmann will continue to develop its research initiative focusing on the problems raised by its industrial and public partners in its three main areas of competence, namely:
- materials analysis at the nanometre scale, surface treatments and nanomaterials;
- environmental technologies, green biotechnologies, food safety and environmental health;
- information technologies
The objectives of this 2011-2013 agreement are to strengthen the links between scientific quality and the socio-economic purposes of the centre’s activities. After five years during which the CRP - Gabriel Lippmann experienced a considerable growth of its personnel and a certain diversification of its research fields, the plan is now to enhance the centre’s scientific “visibility”. To this end, its research activities will be refocused on a more limited number of scientific subjects, at least one of which will have a high medium-term innovation and development potential. This involves building on past achievements and strengthening the ties between activities with a more scientific orientation and those with a more economic aim, while developing synergies with other teams in order to develop a multi-disciplinary approach. Scientific competences with high innovation potential will be strengthened, notably in the areas of surface treatments, nanomaterials, biopolymers and (micro)-sensors.
On a technological level, the research teams will strengthen their efforts with regard to filing patents and the development of prototypes and processes. The major scientific equipment will be grouped within technological platforms. These new platforms will provide quality services for the researchers of the centre’s various departments, as well as for researchers from other institutes and even private sector users.
Alongside scientific and technical objectives, the agreement also includes organisational objectives. Given the quick increase of its personnel, the centre’s structures must be adapted to its new size. The administrative and financial procedures will be reviewed in order to keep the administrative duties of the scientists to the strict minimum needed in order to comply with transparency and accountability criteria in terms of public funds, alongside the efforts of the National Research Fund in this area.
Finally, we note that this significant financial support from the Ministry amounts to €45.9 million, for a total budget exceeding €80 million, which includes investments intended to complete the centre’s cutting-edge equipment.
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