Distinctions
Every year the CNRS rewards the women and men who have contributed most significantly to raising the organisation's profile and advancing French research and innovation.
Being awarded a CNRS medal is a great moment of recognition that honours those who contribute to the vibrancy and renown of the organisation in terms of research and innovation and also through their support for research .
The CNRS medals
The gold medal
Created in 1954, the purpose of the gold medal is to recognise the whole body of work of a scientist who has made an exceptional contribution to extending the influence of French research. This award is one of the highest honours in science.
The innovation medal
Created in 2011, the innovation medal honours those women and men whose exceptional research has led to a significant technological, therapeutic or social innovation that raises the profile of French scientific research.
The scientific mediation medal
The scientific mediation medal recognises scientists and research support staff for individual or collective actions, either on a specific project or their ongoing work, which highlight the value of science to society and help disseminate scientific information and knowledge beyond the walls of their laboratories.
The silver medal
The silver medal honours researchers for the originality, quality and importance of a body of work that is recognised nationally and internationally.
Discover the CNRS 2024 silver medals
The bronze medal
The bronze medal rewards researchers in the early stages of their career whose work has established them as specialists in their field. This award is a form of encouragement from the CNRS to continue with ongoing research that has already proved successful.
Discover the CNRS 2024 bronze medals
The crystal medal
The crystal medal recognises research support staff working alongside researchers whose creativity, technical mastery and sense of innovation has contributed to expanding knowledge and to excellence in French research.
The collective crystal award
The collective crystal award honours teams of research support staff who have carried out projects with outstanding technical mastery, a collective dimension, applications, innovation and influence. This award has two categories: “direct support for research” and “research backup”.
