# Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale

> research institute located in Paris

**Wikidata**: [Q51783269](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51783269)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institut-de-recherche-en-informatique-fondamentale

## Summary
The Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale (IRIF) is a research institute located in Paris, France, focused on the foundations of computer science. Established in January 2016, it operates as a joint research unit (UMR 8243) under the Paris Cité University and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The institute is currently directed by Giuseppe Castagna and is situated in the Sophie Germain Building.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale (IRIF)
- **Location:** 13th arrondissement of Paris, specifically the Sophie Germain Building at 8 Place Aurélie Nemours.
- **Founded:** January 1, 2016.
- **Parent Organizations:** Paris Cité University and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
- **Leadership:**
    - Frédéric Magniez served as Director from January 2018 to December 2022.
    - Giuseppe Castagna has served as Director since January 2023 (term ends December 31, 2025).
    - Lélia Blin is scheduled to assume leadership on January 1, 2026.
- **CNRS Classification:** Identified as CNRS Research Group UMR8243.
- **Predecessors:** The institute replaced two prior entities: LIAFA (Laboratoire d'Informatique Algorithmique : Fondements et Applications) and PPS (Laboratory Preuves, Programmes et Systèmes).
- **Identifiers:** ROR ID `02krdtz55`; GRID ID `grid.503219.c`.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is the Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale located?
The institute is headquartered in the Sophie Germain Building within the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The specific street address is Université de Paris, Bâtiment Sophie Germain, 8 Place Aurélie Nemours, 75013.

### Q: Who oversees the IRIF?
The institute is a joint research structure (Unité Mixte de Recherche) supervised by two parent organizations: Paris Cité University and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).

### Q: When was the IRIF established?
The IRIF was officially founded in January 2016. It was formed to replace two previous laboratories: LIAFA and the Laboratory Preuves, Programmes et Systèmes.

## Why It Matters
The Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale serves as a critical hub for theoretical computer science in France. By consolidating the efforts of two predecessor laboratories—LIAFA and PPS—IRIF creates a unified center of excellence for researching the fundamental structures of computing. Its affiliation with both Paris Cité University and the CNRS ensures a blend of academic rigor and high-level scientific resources, fostering an environment where complex theoretical models can be developed and tested.

The institute plays a significant role in the European research landscape, evidenced by its active digital presence and specific identifiers within global research networks (such as GRID and ROR). The structured succession of its leadership, moving from established figures like Frédéric Magniez to Giuseppe Castagna and subsequently to Lélia Blin, indicates a stable, forward-looking governance model designed to maintain its status as a premier location for fundamental informatics research.

## Notable For
- **Unified Research Structure:** IRIF represents a strategic merger of two distinct and historically significant research labs: LIAFA and the Laboratory Preuves, Programmes et Systèmes.
- **Strategic Location:** It is situated in the Sophie Germain Building, a notable hub for mathematics and computer science in Paris.
- **CNRS Partnership:** It holds the status of a CNRS Research Group (UMR 8243), signifying its importance within the French national research framework.
- **International Digital Presence:** The institute maintains a suite of digital identifiers (HAL, ROR, VIAF, Google Knowledge Graph) and social channels, reflecting its integration into the global scientific community.
- **Defined Leadership Succession:** The institute has a publicly documented roadmap for its leadership, with director terms scheduled through 2026.

## Body

### Governance and Leadership
The IRIF maintains a clear administrative structure with appointed directors serving specific terms.
- **Frédéric Magniez:** Served as Chief Executive Officer (Director) from January 2018 until December 2022.
- **Giuseppe Castagna:** The current director as of the provided data (term running January 2023 to December 31, 2025). Castagna is a noted computer scientist and university teacher who received his Ph.D. from Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7) in 1994.
- **Lélia Blin:** Scheduled to take over directorship starting January 1, 2026.

### Location and Facilities
The institute is physically anchored in Paris with precise geographical coordinates (Lat: 48.82720944444444, Lon: 2.3807958333333334).
- **Address:** Université de Paris, Bâtiment Sophie Germain, 8 Place Aurélie Nemours, Paris, 75013.
- **Headquarters:** The Sophie Germain Building serves as the primary headquarters for the organization.

### Historical Context
The institute was created in January 2016 (specifically referenced as inception 2016-01-00). It was established to replace the *Laboratoire d'Informatique Algorithmique : Fondements et Applications* (LIAFA) and the *Laboratory Preuves, Programmes et Systèmes*. This consolidation aimed to streamline fundamental computer science research under a single entity affiliated with Paris Cité University.

### Research Affiliations and Identifiers
As a recognized scientific body, IRIF is cataloged in numerous international and national databases:
- **Organizational IDs:**
    - ROR ID: `02krdtz55`
    - GRID ID: `grid.503219.c`
    - HAL Structure ID: `444497`
    - French National Research Structure ID: `201621976X`
    - CNRS ID: `UMR8243`
- **Web Presence:** The institute operates a primary website at `https://www.irif.fr/` (French) and `https://www.irif.fr/en/index` (English). It maintains social media profiles on Twitter (`@IRIF_Paris`), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

### Key Personnel
In addition to its directors, the institute comprises various researchers affiliated with the fundamental computer science sector.
- **Giuseppe Castagna:** Serves as both a key figure and director. Born in 1966, he specializes in computer science.
- **Daniel de Rauglaudre:** A French computer specialist (born 1955) affiliated with the institute.

## References

1. [Source](https://fr.u-paris.fr/actualites/frederic-magniez-directeur-de-lirif)
2. [Source](https://www.irif.fr/informations/contacts)
3. French National Directory of Research Structures
4. GRID Release 2019-02-17
5. [Source](https://aurehal.archives-ouvertes.fr/structure/444497)
6. YouTube API