Paris – June 21, 2021 - The continuous and accelerated spread of technological innovations calls for an increase in academic research, particularly in the human and social sciences, in order to better understand, anticipate and act upon their impact on contemporary societies.
To foster the commitment of its scientific community to studying, deciphering and clarifying of the major issues at stake for the common good around new technologies, including the Internet and social networks, Sciences Po announces the signing of a partnership agreement with the McCourt Institute Foundation.
Scientific excellence at Sciences Po as part of a global project
Through this partnership, Sciences Po becomes a founding partner of the new American research institute created by entrepreneur Frank McCourt and dedicated to the theme of "Tech for the Common Good".
“Making technology work for society is one of the biggest challenges humanity faces. It's time to reset technology: how it is designed, developed and leveraged. It should not be a vehicle to benefit a select few, but an engine for the common good. I'm launching the McCourt Institute with this mission at the center. I am proud to have Sciences Po as a founding partner as they bring a track record of demonstrable results in advancing society. Their excellence in the social sciences is exactly the perspective that must be elevated now...it is urgently needed”, said Frank McCourt.
Sciences Po and its historical partner Georgetown University will mobilize their professors, PhDs, researchers and scholars to conduct interdisciplinary research on the use and development of new technologies for the common good.
“Issues surrounding technologies, the use of data and social media are central to research in human and social sciences. They cut through all disciplines at Sciences Po: from economics to history, from sociology to Law and political science. The McCourt Institute serves society and the common good: it will considerably enhance the scientific production of our researchers” stated Laurence Bertrand-Dorléac, Chair of the Board of Directors of the FNSP.
$25 million over 10 years for social science research on technologies for the common good
As part of this partnership, Sciences Po will receive a grant of $25 million over 10 years to support the development of new scientific work conducted by its community of researchers. The grant will fund annual or multi-year research projects on topics related to "Tech for the common good," particularly on public policy and ethical and legal issues.
This grant is part of Frank McCourt's plan to provide the global research community with the means to explore the topic of technologies for the common good, to shed light on the scope of the disruptions they are causing, and to contribute to vigilance in matters of ethics and social, societal and environmental responsibility.
The grant, validated by the Sciences Po Donations Committee, will be the subject of an agreement signed between the FNSP, the McCourt Institute Foundation and the Sciences Po American Foundation, which guarantees the total independence of the researchers' research work with respect to the various projects carried out by the donor, in particular in the choice of research protocols and publication of results.
A partnership with Georgetown University
The academic partnership with Georgetown University will begin on June 22, with a working seminar in Paris between the two universities on the rue Saint Guillaume campus.
The research projects conducted and financed within the framework of the McCourt Institute will be selected by a steering committee based at Sciences Po, which will meet twice a year.
Composed of members of Sciences Po ‘s leadership, of the Sciences Po American Foundation, of the McCourt Institute Foundation, of the Georgetown University and of scientific experts, this committee will submit high-impact academic projects from all areas of research at Sciences Po.
About Sciences Po
Sciences Po is a selective research university of international standing based on the values of openness and excellence. Sciences Po's unique academic model combines expertise in human and social sciences, multidisciplinarity and a professional grounding to educate professionals and citizens able to understand and transform society. Diversity is a key element of Sciences Po's identity. The student body comprises 47 percent international students from 150 different countries and 26 percent scholarship students (up from 6 percent in 2000).
Press contact:
Marie Frocrain: marie.frocrain@sciencespo.fr / 01 49 54 37 71

22.04.2025
SCIENCES PO ET LAZARD NOUENT UN PARTENARIAT POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT DE LA CHAIRE DETTE SOUVERAINE ET FINANCE
PARIS, le 22 avril 2025 – Sciences Po et Lazard annoncent aujourd’hui un partenariat stratégique pour le développement de la Chaire Dette Souveraine et Finance pour une période initiale de trois ans. Fort de son expertise et expérience en matière de conseil aux Gouvernements, Lazard s’engage aux côtés de Sciences Po pour soutenir et consolider le rôle de la Chaire en tant que hub international de recherche, de dialogue et d’apprentissage sur les enjeux de financement souverain et de l’architecture financière internationale.
La Chaire sera affiliée à l'École des Affaires Internationales (PSIA, Sciences Po) et au Département d'Économie de Sciences Po et sa direction sera assurée par l’économiste de renommée internationale et professeure d’économie politique à l’Université de Bologne, Paola Subacchi.
Le soutien de Lazard permettra de faire progresser la recherche, de délivrer des enseignements et d’organiser des événements sur des sujets complexes et stratégiques comme : la question de soutenabilité des dettes, celle de l’amélioration de leur transparence ou encore l’enjeu de la résolution des crises de dette. Outre Lazard, Sciences Po élargira le groupe de sponsors de la Chaire à des partenaires à l’expertise complémentaire.
Luis Vassy, Directeur de Sciences Po : « Cette Chaire, soutenue par Lazard, constitue le premier espace académique de référence, en Europe, autour des problématiques relatives aux dettes souveraines. Ce soutien de Lazard témoigne de la confiance dans notre recherche et notre formation, mais également de notre volonté mutuelle d’éclairer un domaine d'une importance cruciale pour l'avenir des économies mondiales. Je suis convaincu que ce partenariat enrichira notre capacité à former les dirigeants de demain et à produire des recherches de pointe pour développer des solutions et des politiques publiques innovantes face aux défis financiers globaux. »
Jean-Louis Girodolle, Directeur Général de Lazard en France et Co-Directeur de l’activité de conseil financier en Europe : « Nous sommes fiers de collaborer avec Sciences Po pour soutenir la Chaire Dette Souveraine et Finance. Ce partenariat s’appuie sur notre expertise de premier plan en conseil souverain, sous la direction de Pierre Cailleteau et Thomas Lambert, et sur notre expérience centenaire en matière d’accompagnement des gouvernements dans la gestion de leur dette et de leurs finances publiques. Il illustre l’engagement de Lazard en faveur de la recherche et du dialogue autour des politiques publiques essentielles pour l’avenir de la finance internationale et pour les gouvernements et les institutions que nous soutenons. »
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