Our transformative projects
They are cross-disciplinary projects, creating synergies between missions and/or individuals and leading development for individuals, missions and the local areas around the different campuses. Their transformative nature is also reflected in the university’s responsibility toward the local areas surrounding its campuses and society as a whole.
The transformative projects include several major programmes set up in the framework of national strategies for higher education and research, such as the Investments for the Future plan.
Le projet I-SITE FUTURE et les LABEX associés, le projet SFRI « Graduate School GP-DS », le projet IDéES « AMI » ou encore le projet ExcellencES sous toutes ses formes « City-Fab » figurent parmi les projets transformants.
While the I-SITE FUTURE project covers all the university's strategic aims, the others contribute to more specific aspects of this strategy :
- The development of synergies and the institution’s national dimension with AMI and City-Fab
- The development of local partnerships with City-Fab
- The development of Master’s-PhD links and international relations with GP-DS
Other projects are supported by regional policies for higher education and research, such as the LABILITY Smart Lab funded by the Île-de-France Region.
Last but not least, thanks to its reputation in the fields of cities and mobility, Université Gustave Eiffel was appointed to co-lead the two Priority Research Programmes and Facilities (PEPR) in connection with these themes, namely :
- The “Sustainable cities and innovative buildings” PEPR (co-led with the CNRS)
- The “Digital services for local mobility” PEPR (co-led with IFPEN)
These two PEPRs constitute the upstream part of some 20 strategies chosen by the government to contribute to the recovery effort and prepare the future of France by addressing economic, social, digital and environmental challenges.
The aim of these PEPR is to define research challenges and scientific obstacles and identify means to respond by mobilising the scientific communities.
The I-SITE FUTURE project
I-SITE FUTURE is an institutional and scientific project on desirable cities and territories for the future.
Created in 2017 in response to the Investments for the Future call for projects (PIA 2), I-SITE FUTURE is an accredited I-SITE (Science – Innovation – Territory – Economy Initiative) project that aims “to be a leader in the area in France and internationally”.
As part of this project, Université Gustave Eiffel has set up a range of projects for research, training, student and campus life and developing economic and institutional partnerships, particularly at international level, in partnership with École des Ponts ParisTech.
The project reached the end of its probationary period in 2021 and received confirmation of its accreditation on 10 March 2022.
Its continuation is strong indicator of recognition of the actions carried out over four years in terms of research and training of excellence, educational innovation and international visibility on the themes of future cities and territories.
The confirmation of the I-SITE accreditation allows Université Gustave Eiffel to continue and develop its research, training and support for public policy, in connection with its partners.
The scientific project for the forthcoming period will focus on helping make cities and territories fairer and more equitable and resilient, but also more frugal.
LabEx : FUTURS URBAINS, BEZOUT, SITES, MMCD
The LabEX schemes are part of the Investments for the Future Programme and are designed encourage the development of ambitious scientific projects with an international visibility. LabEX aim to structure scientific communities and develop original, upstream research drawing on diverse and complementary skills.
Université Gustave Eiffel hosts four LabEX bringing together diverse partners.
- FUTURS URBAINS, which aims to question urban societies, the dimensions of urban change and the connections between urban activities and the environment
- BÉZOUT, specialised in cutting-edge research in mathematics and computer science
- SITES (Science, Innovation and Techniques in Society), dedicated to research in the field of Science, Techniques and Innovation in Society
- MMCD (Multi-Scale Modelling and Experimentation of Materials for Sustainable Construction), which mainly aims to develop research on materials using scientific skills in the fields of numerical modelling, experimentation, imaging, mechanics and chemistry
GP-DS Graduate School
The GP-DS (Graduate Programmes -Doctoral Studies) Graduate School project won the SFRI call for projects for "structuring training through research in initiatives of excellence", open only to accredited IDEX and I-SITE institutions.
Led by Université Gustave Eiffel, it brings together Université Paris-Est Créteil, École des Ponts ParisTech and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
The project is based on offering specific training schemes and support for students on a research pathway to PhD study. The schemes supported by the ANR include grants for hosting international students and allowing selected French students to take Graduate Programmes.
Four Graduate Programmes were launched at the start of the academic year in 2021 :
- Urban Future
- Digital Studies and Innovation for Smart-Cities
- Bézout - Mathematics and computer science
- Connected Objects, Devices and Systems (CODS) : "connecting and sensing the city”
The Graduate School intends to roll out other Graduate Programmes at a later stage.
AMI
AMI (Belonging – Mutualisation – Integration) won the IDéES (Integration and Development of IDEX and I-SITE) call for projects in partnership with the CNRS. The project aims to support the development of Université Gustave Eiffel through a gradual process of decompartmentalisation and integration of its communities. The aim of the AMI project is to turn this decompartmentalisation process into a lever for added value for individuals and the institution. To begin with, the project intends to create a genuine sense of belonging and set up integrated and shared management at every level of the new university.
Since the confirmation of the I-SITE FUTURE certification, this project has involved the development of actions to support staff careers and strengthen the Steering Support Unit.
City-Fab
The “Sustainable City Factory” City-Fab project won the “ExcellencES in all its Forms” call for projects.
Carried out in partnership with the CNRS, this project aims to support local areas and their programmes for the energy, ecological, economic and social transition
The project will be rolled out in collaboration with the academic and student community and will be co-constructed with all the university's campuses.
The “Sustainable City Factory” has several objectives :
- Mobilise research and training skills to produce new knowledge through action-research mechanisms (involving players on the ground and the populations concerned).
- Support actors and their transition programmes by offering dedicated training (including lifelong learning courses).
- Set up mechanisms for disseminating knowledge for citizens.