The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) is the main funder of research activities in Luxembourg. We invest public funds and private donations into research projects in various branches of science and the humanities, with an emphasis on selected core strategic areas. Furthermore, we support and coordinate activities to strengthen the link between science and society and to raise awareness for research. We also advise the Luxembourg government on research policy and strategy.
Our vision
To establish Luxembourg as a leading knowledge-based society through science, research and innovation, thereby contributing to the country’s economic diversification and future prosperity.
Our mission
To set up a sustainable world-class research system in Luxembourg that will generate societal and economic impact in key strategic areas.
Our strategic priorities
The FNR aims to be a driving force for Luxembourg’s innovation capabilities and focuses on the following three strategic objectives to foster research with impact:
Attaining scientific leadership in key areas
By setting the highest quality standards, we contribute to establishing international research excellence in Luxembourg. By attracting and training the most talented scientists, we help to build critical mass in key research areas, thereby supporting economic development and societal progress.
Turning public research into a competitive advantage for Luxembourg
We support the advancement of Luxembourg’s knowledge-based economy by supporting industry-informed research, by reinforcing co-operation between public research and innovative industries and by facilitating the commercial exploitation of research results.
Anchoring science and research in society
We promote the active involvement of researchers and scientists in addressing current and future societal challenges. To ensure that research is established sustainably in the public consciousness as an important pillar of Luxembourg’s knowledge society, we support an active exchange between scientists and the public at large.
How we work
The FNR’s most highly valued criteria are excellence and quality in research. In order to identify the most promising and most excellent projects and researchers, we systematically submit funding requests to an assessment by independent international experts.
We implement the « Principles for Scientific Merit Review » (issued by the 2012 « Global Summit on Merit Review »), which embody the highest international standards of expert assessment, transparency, impartiality, confidentiality and integrity.
We commit to conduct our operations through a Quality Management System (QMS) certified in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Our core values
Towards researchers and research institutions
We implement a fair and transparent process in our decision-making and nurture an open dialogue with the scientific community.
Towards the government, tax-payers and donors
We are accountable for the usage of funds that we are entrusted with and we strive for efficiency in our operations.
Towards the general public
We care for the long-term interest of the country and consider engagement with society as a constitutive part of science.
Towards our collaborators
We aim to stimulate talent-development and competence building of our staff, who translate FNR’s vision, mission and core values into action.