Signing of Bernard Arnault’s (X69) sponsorship for École Polytechnique’s Institute of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences

The ceremony formalizing Bernard Arnault’s sponsorship of École Polytechnique’s Institute of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences project took place on July 2 at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, attended by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin, the President of the Île-de-France Region, Valérie Pécresse, and Elisabeth Borne (X81, Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024).

This institute will host an ambitious program of research and scientific collaborations. Its future building, to be located in the heart of the Palaiseau campus by 2030, will be funded by an exceptional donation of 50 M€ from Bernard Arnault (X69).

“I welcomed the project with great enthusiasm, and the reasons for this commitment can be summed up in three words […] that reflect the values of the LVMH Group,” said its founding chairman, adding, “Within our group, we represent France around the world.”

“The first is excellence. A major mathematics center is a hub of French excellence. That still matters today—perhaps more than ever. A passion for excellence is something that is cultivated and passed on.”

"The second is the concept of sovereignty. We see this more and more every day with artificial intelligence. Whoever masters mathematics will master the affairs of the world to come."

“Finally—and this is very important, in my view, in mathematics—creativity and imagination. Because, contrary to what one might think, math isn’t just a matter of rigor; it’s also—perhaps above all, at a certain level—a matter of imagination,” said Bernard Arnault.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu spent three and a half years as head of the Ministry of the Armed Forces—which oversees École Polytechnique—before taking office. He reiterated the government’s commitment to the School and the historic ties that have always existed within the School between the civilian and military sectors.

“Philanthropy will never replace action or government funding. École Polytechnique is a military institution; it is funded by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and receives significant grants for its projects. But the donation you have made, in my view, is a testament to patriotism, and in very concrete terms, it will leave a lasting legacy for the glory of the country, for science, and for the Nation,” emphasized Sébastien Lecornu, referring to the School’s motto [For the Nation, for Sciences, and for Glory].

“ Through your historic donation in French higher education, you are enabling us to be even stronger in the future in our ability to attract the best talent, to create a research and training environment for our engineers that is unique in the world, and to build the science of tomorrow alongside our partners at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, the CNRS, INRIA, and the remarkable scientific community of the Saclay Plateau. In short, you're helping us envision a bright future," said Laura Chaubard, president and CEO of École Polytechnique.

“Our school has been built over more than two centuries thanks to France’s vision for its engineers, thanks to the women and men who have passed through its doors and who, like many of you, continue long after leaving to shape its future and support its development,” she added.

“Your commitment also sends a message to all the young people who look to science that France will maintain its position among the world’s best and proudly uphold the School’s motto,” concluded Laura Chaubard.

The creation of the Institute of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences has been made possible thanks to Bernard Arnault’s commitment through his family-owned company, Agache, which will finance the construction of the building, as well as the launch of the scientific program “La Résidence mathématique,” which will be dedicated to hosting leading international researchers, to organize conferences and thematic semesters, as well as to support collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects.

This contribution by Bernard Arnault is part of the “Servir la science” fundraising campaign, launched by the École Polytechnique Foundation in 2024 to support the institution’s development.

“This exemplary act calls for a broader reflection on the role of philanthropy. In an environment of increasing international academic and scientific competition, philanthropic contributions from individuals and companies provide essential resources for student scholarships, scientific equipment, endowed chairs, and strategic projects, and serve as an indispensable supplement to public funding”, noted Frédéric Oudéa, president of the École Polytechnique Foundation.

“This is not a departure from the French public model; it is its natural extension. At a time when the challenges extend beyond national borders and when public funding—however substantial it may be—is insufficient to meet the School’s legitimate ambitions,” he pointed out.

“In this regard, industrial partnerships act as a catalyst. They make it possible to bridge the gap between discovery and application, to leverage the work of research laboratories, and to contribute to France’s technological strength. These ties between the School and the business world are neither a compromise nor a concession. They are fully embraced and rigorously managed, and they are a prerequisite for our sovereignty,” emphasized Frédéric Oudéa.