The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), a research performing organisation, is a major player in basic research on the global stage and the only one in France that is active in all fields of science. Its unique position as a specialist in multiple fields means that it can bring together different scientific disciplines to shed light on and gain insight into current global challenges, in partnership with public sector, social and economic stakeholders. Together the sciences are used to bring about sustainable progress that benefits the whole of society. It employs 33,000 persons, among which 28,000 scientists, located in 1,100 research units, and its budget is about 4 billion Euro.