ExcelLR: a programme of excellence for a new university model

ExcelLR is part of the 4th Future Investment Program (PIA4), launched in 2020 by the French government to fund innovative investments in the ecological transition.

As part of this initiative, the University has been awarded 16 million euros to support the project’s implementation over a 10-year period.

Project Overview

Developed in partnership with the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) and IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development), the ExcelLR project is structured around four main lines and seven work packages (WP).

Line 1: Strengthening Specialisation in Research

As part of the research line, the creation of a “Cellule Talents et Compétences Recherche” (WP1) to support research staff in their careers and the implementation of competitive research initiatives (WP2) in the form of calls for proposals attract researchers specializing in sustainable development in coastal areas.

Find out more about the specialisation of La Rochelle Université’s research.

At the same time, the creation of a dedicated catalog for compiling research outputs (WP3 / UCLR) is gradually aggregating data with the aim of making it accessible to a range of stakeholders seeking to better address coastal risks.

Learn more about the Urban and Coastal Lab La Rochelle (UCLR) project.

Line 2: Boosting attractiveness by developing specialised courses

The training line is working to implement specialised courses through the development of graduate programs (WP4) and lifelong learning opportunities (WP5).

The aim is, on the one hand, to encourage master’s students to pursue doctoral studies on topics related to sustainable development in coastal areas and, on the other hand, to offer training accessible to public and private stakeholders in coastal regions to better support them in their decision-making.

Find out more about the transformation of training paths at La Rochelle Université.

Line 3: Increasing societal impact and embedding the University in its local community

Strengthening La Rochelle Université’s societal impact involves developing new forms of interaction between the research community and civil society. This is the purpose behind the creation of the comm’on lab, a space for dialogue and exchange between science and society. Run by a permanent team, this physical space dedicated to meetings and collaborations will offer programs combining arts and sciences, educational demonstrations, and scientific experiments.

Open since July 2024, the comm’on lab has already welcomed more than 5,000 visitors.

Find out more about the comm’on lab.

Line 4: Designing new steering tools and indicators to monitor the university’s strategy

The new university model requires a major shift from fixed national guidelines to a specific success framework that reflects the institution’s ambition and is supported by appropriate steering tools. This is why, with ExcelLR, the University will develop new steering tools and indicators. This initiative includes, in particular, a restructuring of the institution’s organisational chart and the development of a strategic information system that incorporates a set of performance metrics.