École Polytechnique Foundation launches its 3rd fundraising campaign, with the aim of raising €200 million

École Polytechnique Foundation is launching its third fundraising campaign, with the aim of raising €200 million over the next 5 years from private individuals and companies, and has announced that it has already raised over 40% of this target.

As 2024 marks the 230th anniversary of the founding of École Polytechnique, École Polytechnique Foundation is launching an ambitious new fundraising campaign to reach a new milestone. In an increasingly competitive higher education and research environment, the funds raised will accelerate the implementation of the Institution's strategic plan, boost its attractiveness, and consolidate its role in resolving major contemporary challenges. 

“In the last two decades, “Servir la science” (“Serving Science”) is the most ambitious fundraising campaign for École Polytechnique. With this campaign, we intend to continue to support the ambitions and development projects of École Polytechnique, and thus contribute to writing its history”, says Frédéric Oudéa (X 1981), Chairman of École Polytechnique Foundation.

“More than ever, we need science and scientists who are capable of understanding the complexity of the world in a systemic vision. École Polytechnique’s uniqueness, which combines multidisciplinary excellence, service to the general interest and close links with the business world, is a tremendous asset for France and Europe in the current transition. With the renewed support of the French government, and thanks to this campaign, we want École Polytechnique to take a decisive step towards its future by reaffirming the role of science as a source of progress, sovereignty and humanism,” says Laura Chaubard (X 1999), President and Director General of École Polytechnique. 

Three strategic priorities

More than 85 million euros in donations and pledges have already been collected from private individuals, companies and foundations for this new campaign, which will fund three strategic priorities:

• Nurturing talent 

The competitiveness of France and Europe depends on the training of its talent and the attractiveness of its institutions. The “Serving Science” campaign will help to attract the most talented profiles to École Polytechnique, and to support student and teacher mobility. It will also strengthen diversity by pursuing existing initiatives implemented in favour of equal opportunities, and by initiating new programs, particularly in research.

• Advancing research and breakthrough innovations

École Polytechnique is a major contributor to solving societal challenges. The new campaign will make it possible to invest in fundamental research, which paves the way for the emergence of new technologies, and numerous research projects designed to meet the systemic challenges of climate, bio-engineering, sovereignty and defence.

• Making the campus a model of sustainability and influence

Almost 50 years after École Polytechnique’s move to Palaiseau, support for campus development projects is a new feature and a priority of the new campaign to provide an attractive, sustainable environment for all. The funds raised will be used to invest in strategic real estate projects that meet the highest international standards.

“The aim of our campaign is to gather a collective around the sciences and their positive impact on society”, explained Alexandre de Juniac (X 1981) and Christel Heydemann (X 1994), Chairman and Vice-Chairwoman of the Campaign Committee. “Philanthropy has already enabled École Polytechnique to make significant progress, particularly in terms of internationalization and curriculum diversification. We are counting on a renewed and strengthened commitment from all of you,” they added.