PIMS Hosts CNRS Leadership as CNRS and UBC Sign a Letter of Intent for an IRC

We were pleased to host senior leadership from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).

A key highlight was the signing of a Letter of Intent between CNRS and the University of British Columbia (UBC) to establish an International Research Centre (IRC). This reflects a shared commitment to deepening scientific collaboration and advancing high-impact research to address global challenges.

The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) is proud of its enduring collaboration with CNRS, including its role in establishing the first International Research Laboratory (IRL) in Canada. With only a small number of CNRS International Research Centres worldwide—just three in North America—this initiative represents a significant and exciting opportunity.

CNRS International Research Centres represent the organization’s flagship model for global collaboration, supporting ambitious research programs with a select group of leading institutions worldwide.

PIMS extends its sincere thanks to Alain Schuhl and his team for their leadership, as well as to Andrea Dessen for her instrumental role in advancing this collaboration. We also gratefully acknowledge Benoit-Antoine Bacon for his strong support of this important initiative.

The opportunity to establish a CNRS International Research Centre at UBC is an exciting step forward—one that will deepen collaboration, expand research horizons, and reinforce Canada’s role as a global leader in scientific innovation. If realized, the IRC would position UBC and PIMS among a select group of leading global research partners.