The French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity (FRB) is a foundation for scientific cooperation created in February 2008 by 8 major national research institutions, with support from the Ministries of Research and Environment. FRB took over the responsibilities of the Institut français de la biodiversité (IFB) and of the Bureau of genetic resources (BRG), with a view to widen their scope of action. The FRB is composed of a board, a scientific committee and a steering committee involving various stakeholders (including CSOs, private companies, seed associations and local authorities). A core team of about 20 staff members implement the planned activities.

FRB’s core mission is to promote and coordinate research on biodiversity at the national level and to support the dissemination of research outcomes to stakeholders and end-users. FRB is involved in the preparation and management of the national biodiversity programme run by the ANR, and will cooperate in programmes run by its member organizations and by MEEDDAT. FRB also cooperates with civil society and business organizations and has a mandate to coordinate French research activities with European and international programmes and initiatives.
The resources are constituted by the contributions of the members and budget from the Ministry for Research. The net annual budget (free of salaries) is circa 2 million Euros. The personnel, seconded by the member institutions, includes 17 staff members and 3 secretaries.

The members of FRB (France):

• BRGM (Bureau des recherches géologiques et minières)
• CEMAGREF (Centre national du machinisme agricole, du génie rural, des eaux et forêt)
• CIRAD (Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement)
• CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique)
• IFREMER (Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer)
• INRA (Institut national de la recherche agronomique)
• IRD (Institut de recherche pour le développement)
• MNHN (Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle)