Daring for Excellence with MINERVE: A Springboard into Research, a Pathway to the Future
The MINERVE project aims to train a new generation of researchers dedicated to advancing Research and Innovation. Led by the University of Orléans, in partnership with the University of Tours, INSA-CVL, CNRS, INRAE, BRGM, and leading companies, it is rooted in fields of excellence recognized at the highest international level.
Learn more about our Excellence project:
This project offers an innovative approach that enables students to build a personalized research-oriented pathway, from the first year of higher education (BAC+1) through to the doctoral level, tailored to their personal goals, profile, and learning pace.
The Minerve Excellence Pathways
This unique model places research at the heart of student training throughout the entire university cycle, from the Bachelor’s degree to the Doctorate. Accessible from the first year of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, the MINERVE Excellence Pathways offer two tailored programs available across numerous disciplinary fields:
- Bachelor’s level: Under-Graduate Program of Excellence (U-GPEx)
- Master's level: Graduate Program of Excellence (GPEx)
Students benefit from an innovative methodology aligned with their ambitions.
Based on a strong disciplinary base, the “Minerve” programs pave the way for:
- A gradual immersion in the world of Research, Development, and Innovation
- Interdisciplinary modularity enabling personalized pathways
- A “Learning by Doing” approach through technical, educational, or digital platforms (FabLab, SimLab, WebLab, etc.)
- Strengthened scientific and educational support
- Continuous recognition and enhancement of skills and achievements.
The context of the MINERVE project
MINERVE is a project funded under the 4th Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir (France 2030), with a budget of €13.8 million over 10 years. Led by the University of Orléans (UO) and developed in collaboration with six academic partners (University of Tours, BRGM, INRAE, CNRS, CHUO, and INSA-CVL), this project aims to profoundly transform teaching methods and degree pathways toward Research Careers, in close cooperation with its partners.
MINERVE aims to restructure the training offer by and for Research, to streamline the thematic structure of UO, to deploy the “Excellence Minerve” training model throughout UO and among its partners, and finally to propose a sustainable framework for these pathways. In doing so, the project seeks to foster the development of training programs and tools for research at all levels: Bachelor’s, University Bachelor of Technology (BUT), Master’s, Engineering, and Doctorate, by leveraging the expertise of the regional research ecosystem.
Building a new model of excellence in education through research and innovation
