Presentation
In 2022, Université Paris Cité was selected as one of only 15 French universities to receive “ExcellencES” funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the General Secretariat for Investment. With €30 million in funding, the university launched FIRE-UP, an ambitious initiative built around two transformative programmes: (i) Empowering Global Citizenship, to train students and researchers to tackle global challenges with interdisciplinary insight and (ii) Bridging Science, Innovation, and Society, to create vibrant spaces where academic excellence meets societal impact.
FIRE-UP (Fostering Interdisciplinary and Research Excellence for society at Université Paris Cité) is an ambitious transformative initiative, part of the France 2030 “ExcellencES” funding scheme awarded in 2022. Université Paris Cité was selected among the top 15 French universities and received €30 million, for a bold vision that bridges local challenges and global societal needs.
The project is organised around six major action lines, mobilising interdisciplinarity and innovation to maximise the university’s positive footprint on society, from training through research to civic engagement.
Contact
Alain Zider | Scientific & Technical Lead
Céline Jégat | Project Manager
Empowering Global Citizenship
Preparing students – from undergraduate to post-doctoral – level to become globally aware citizens. This includes:
- P.A.R.I.S. Program: Interdisciplinary, problem-based learning centred on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially tuned to metropolitan-scale challenges like those faced by Paris
- « Project Factory » Program (ProF): Supporting and funding technology transfer and innovation projects initiated by students at all levels, with dedicated spaces and scientific mentoring
- « Crossing Cutting Edges » Call for Projects (CCE): An international competitive call for groundbreaking interdisciplinary projects undertaken by doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, especially at discipline interfaces
Bridging Science, Innovation, and Society
Creating both virtual and physical ecosystems (Atriums and Institutes) to bring together researchers, educators, students, socio-economic actors and civil society, in order to co-produce knowledge and solutions in key thematic areas:
- Atrium of Gosciences (GeoC): Focusing on climate change, energy transition, and novel environmental technologies
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS): Strengthening interaction among social sciences, humanities, health sciences; shaping public engagement and informing policy
- Institute for Women and Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Health: A dedicated institute to advance research, education, and innovation around every aspect of women’s health, integrating social sciences, medicine, public health
Why FIRE-UP matters
- Impact at scale: FIRE-UP positions Université Paris Cité to address pressing issues – local and global- such as sustainable development, health equity, climate, technological innovation.
- Interdisciplinary innovation: By breaking disciplinary silos and fostering collaboration, the project aims for breakthroughs that single disciplines rarely achieve.
- Talent development: From bachelor to postdoctoral levels, students are coached to think globally, act locally, and lead with purpose.
- Societal integration: Through spaces of exchange, partnerships with industry and civil society, FIRE-UP ensures research and teaching do not stay confined to academia but touch real lives.