The Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation, the International Research Center at the Frontiers of Chemistry, is supported by both leading institutional and industrial founding members, as well as by a governance structure closely connected to Strasbourg's scientific community.
Together, they share a common ambition: to provide long-term support for excellence in chemistry research in Strasbourg, building on an exceptional scientific legacy. Drawing on Strasbourg's longstanding leadership in chemistry, the Foundation seeks to carry this momentum into the future by supporting the most ambitious and innovative projects.
Our founders
As one of France’s largest multidisciplinary universities in terms of student and staff numbers, the University of Strasbourg is renowned for the quality of its research and its dynamic approach to innovation. It plays a leading role in chemistry in France and Europe and draws on a strong interdisciplinary approach to address major scientific and societal challenges.
As a world-leading research organization, the CNRS stands out for its long tradition of excellence. In Strasbourg, its research units in chemistry and related fields contribute significantly to the international reputation of French research.
A major player in the chemical industry, BASF has long maintained close ties with the scientific community in Strasbourg. This partnership has taken shape, in particular, through the establishment of a laboratory at the Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS) and through BASF’s commitment as a founding member of the Foundation, via multi-year financial support.
As a global leader in analytical instrumentation, Bruker develops cutting-edge solutions for academic and industrial research. Its technologies are essential in many fields, from materials science to life sciences.
Governance bodies
Composed of representatives from the University of Strasbourg, the CNRS, partner companies, and qualified individuals, the board of directors sets the Foundation's strategic direction.
- Council of Founding Members (6 seats)University of Strasbourg (2 seats)
- President of the University of Strasbourg, Frédérique Berrod
- Vice President for Research, Doctoral Education, and Open Science at the University of Strasbourg, Rémi Barillon
CNRS (2 seats)- Director of the CNRS Institute of Chemistry, Jacques Maddaluno
- Regional Director of the CNRS Alsace Delegation, Géraud Delorme
BASF France (1 headquarters)- Pending appointment
Bruker Biospin (1 headquarters)- Job Opening
- Council of Qualified Scientists (2 seats)
- President of the Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation, Bernard Meunier
- Former Chief Scientific Officer of the Solvay Group, Patrick Maestro
- Council of Ex Officio Members (1 seat)Local Governments
- Regional Councilor, Grand Est Region, Pascale Gaillot
Government Commissioner (advisory capacity)- Rector of the Grand Est Academy
- Another middle schoolBusiness Representative
- President of NovAliX, Stéphan Jenn
Representative of faculty members- Professor at the University of Strasbourg, Laboratory of Molecular Solid-State Tectonics, Sylvie Ferlay
Composed of members of the Strasbourg scientific community, the committee serves as a source of proposals. It identifies needs and suggests actions to be taken to best address them.
- Prof. Thomas Ebbesen, Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering
2014 Kavli Prize in Nanosciences
Member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Institut Universitaire de France - Prof. Paolo Samori, Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering
; Member of the European Academy of Sciences and the Institut Universitaire de France - Prof. Petra Hellwig, Chemistry of Complex Materials, Member of the Institut Universitaire de France
- Prof. Peter Faller, Strasbourg Institute of Chemistry, Member of the Institut Universitaire de France
- Prof. Sylvie Bégin-Colin, Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, the Environment, and Health (ICPEES), Director of the European School of Chemistry, Polymers, and Materials (2014–2021)
- Dr. Thomas Grutter, Synthetic and Therapeutic Chemobiology (CBST)
Composed of prominent figures from the scientific, business, and institutional communities, the advisory board supports and promotes the Foundation's initiatives.
- Mr. Thomas Clozel, Co-founder of the startup Owkin
- Mr. Christophe Copéret, Professor at ETH Zurich
- Mr. François Goulard, Former Minister of Higher Education and Research
- Ms. Claudie Haigneré, Former Minister of Research and New Technologies
- Mr. Stéphan Jenn, Chairman and CEO of NovAliX
- Ms. Ilham Kadri, Former CEO of Syensqo
- Ms. Monique Lévy, Former expert at the European Commission
- Mr. Pierre Luzeau, Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, former President of SEQENS
- Mr. Patrick Maestro, Former Chief Scientific Officer of Solvay
- Mr. Bernard Meunier, President of the Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation
- Mr. Jean-Claude Muller, Former Chief Scientific Officer of Sanofi
- Ms. Sylviane Muller, Director of the Institute of Medicines at the University of Strasbourg
- Mr. Pascal Neuville, Former CEO of Domain Therapeutics
- Ms. Magali Smets, Executive Director of France Chimie
Composed of internationally renowned scientists, the scientific advisory board provides guidance and direction for the Foundation's strategy.
- Prof. Ben Feringa, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, Professor at the University of Groningen (Netherlands), 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
- Robert Gresser, Innovation Consultant (i2val.com), Former VP of Research and Innovation, SOLVAY
- Prof. Anne-Clémence Corminboeuf, Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland
- Prof. Jonathan Hall, Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland
- Prof. Manfred Kappes, Director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany
- Prof. Marinella Mazzanti, Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland
- Prof. Jieping Zhu, Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland
- Prof. Jürgen Rühe, Professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany
Governance bodies
Steering Committee
Composed of members of the Strasbourg scientific community, the committee serves as a source of proposals. It identifies needs and suggests actions to be taken to best address them.
Board of Directors
Representatives of the founders, regional bodies, and qualified experts set the Foundation’s general policy and approve its strategic decisions.
Scientific Advisory Board
Composed of scientists from outside Strasbourg, the scientific advisory board ensures, in an independent and transparent manner, the selection of the most innovative projects.
Partnership Committee
Composed of leading figures from the worlds of politics, science, and industry, the committee supports the Foundation's initiatives and plays a key role in developing its philanthropic efforts.
