About us

French Nationale Institute for Agricultural Research

The Institute

Ranked the number one agricultural institute in Europe and number two in the world, INRA carries out mission-oriented research for better food and nutrition, preservation of the environment and competitive, sustainable agricultural practices.

The research is guided by developments in scientific fields and focuses on worldwide challenges related to food and nutrition, the environment and land use facing the world of agriculture and agronomics today. Challenges such as climate change, human nutrition, competition between food and non-food crops, the exhaustion of fossil resources and appropriate land management put agronomists in a position to generate compatible economic, social and environmental development. INRA produces fundamental knowledge that leads to innovation and know-how for society. INRA lends its expertise to public decision-making.

Open to society

INRA initiates research projects in France and Europe that it knows are relevant for society, because it is attentive to society's needs. That is why it carries out forward-planning research with a strategic vision in concert with representatives of society (strategy partners). INRA commits to contributing to society through four-year contracts that set out specific objectives, together with the French government. It lends its expertise to public decision-making.

Producing knowledge, innovation and know-how for society

INRA assists the development of industries and regions of France: it actively participates in a transfer partnership while seeking the public good. INRA shares its knowledge with a vast public.

Maintaining scientific excellence and research relevance

INRA is ranked 2nd in the world and 1st in Europe for publications in the agricultural sciences, and plant and animal sciences. It maintains scientific partnerships with major scientific research institutes worldwide, universities, and agronomy and veterinary schools, and is committed to helping build the European Research Area. INRA encourages a multidisciplinary approach to research. It has received a number of prestigious awards for its researchers and their work.

A foremost scientific research institution

1,828 researchers and 1,784 doctoral students work at INRA; 1,000 foreign researchers come to INRA every year. Research equipment, experimental facilities and major technology transfer are managed by a staff of 2,427 engineers and 4,249 technicians.

The complementary nature of topics studied and techniques used, as well as the diversity of partnerships, guarantee INRA great capacity and the relevance of its actions to benefit society.