Frequently asked questions - FAQs

Missions

What is CIRAD?

CIRAD is the French agricultural research and international cooperation organisation working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. It produces scientific knowledge, innovations and operational solutions aimed at helping to address the main agricultural, food and environmental challenges. 

CIRAD works in close partnership with a wide range of players–scientific institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, governments, etc–in the countries where it works, and with many international organisations, in the tropics, the Mediterranean and the French overseas regions. 

CIRAD is a public industrial and commercial agricultural research establishment (EPIC) under the dual supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

What is CIRAD's remit?

CIRAD's has a remit to contribute to a more sustainable world by building farming and food systems that are resilient to the main issues and global change. Its action is aimed at guaranteeing healthy, accessible food while preserving biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem health. 

CIRAD also helps societies with their social, economic and environmental transition. It supports local players and public policymakers working for the sustainable development of their territories.

Who is CIRAD's CEO? 

Elisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin has been CIRAD's CEO since 2021. She has considerable expertise across a number of fields, having worked with various authorities in France and overseas. In particular, she has played a key role in drafting and steering French public development aid policy.

Before being appointed CIRAD CEO, she was its Director General in charge of Research and Strategy.

How many people work for CIRAD?

CIRAD employs some 1750 people, including 1200 scientists. 

Locations

Where is CIRAD?

CIRAD's Head Office is in Paris, with two research centres in and near Montpellier, two regional offices in the French overseas regions and another nine in other countries in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. For more details, see Our regional offices.

Where does CIRAD work?

CIRAD has research and cooperation activities in more than 100 countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. 

It has longstanding partnerships with more than two hundred research establishments and universities, and with local organisations, to co-construct solutions tailored to local contexts. For more details, see CIRAD worldwide.

Research/publications

What international partnerships does CIRAD have?

CIRAD builds partnerships with research establishments, universities, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and French or international firms linked to agricultural value chains in the countries in which it works. 

Those partnerships are central to its scientific cooperation and serve to co-construct innovative solutions tailored to agricultural, food and environmental issues the world over.

What are CIRAD's research fields?

CIRAD conducts research in various fields linked to agriculture, structured around:

Three levers for action

• Agroecological transitions
• Sustainable food systems
• One Health

To tackle two main challenges

• Biodiversity erosion
• Climate change

On a preferred scale

• Territories and collective action

These topics are tackled via a multidisciplinary approach, combining biological, social and environmental science.

Where can I find CIRAD's latest scientific publications?

You can access CIRAD's latest news and publications via our Knowledge sharing portal, social media accounts and newsletters.

Human resources

How can I apply to CIRAD?

Job vacancies are published on CIRAD's "Career" website. To be considered by CIRAD, all applications must be made via this site. The recruitment process generally includes an analysis of candidates' academic and professional career, along with an assessment of their technical skills and motivation. 

Our site also contains offers of internships and theses, on specific pages.

Does CIRAD offer career and job opportunities?

CIRAD regularly publishes job offers. Please consult our "Career" website to see current opportunities.

Does CIRAD offer training?

CIRAD offers a comprehensive catalogue of more than 100 training courses, either in person or on line. The full catalogue can be found here.

CIRAD's scientific teams are involved in numerous initial training courses, primarily as part of Masters or other university courses, in France and elsewhere. They are particularly involved in training through research at PhD or post-doc level.