2 February 2026

We are delighted to welcome Université Paris-Saclay to the Universitas 21 (U21) network as of 2 February 2026. As our 31st member and first from France, its membership further strengthens our global community of research-intensive universities.  

A research-intensive university with a vast European and international reach, Université Paris-Saclay brings to the network a strong focus on science, technology and innovation, underpinned by deep collaboration across disciplines and sectors.  

In the recently announced 2026 QS Sustainability Rankings, the university was placed 45th globally and ranked as the leading French institution, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and societal impact.  Its addition reflects U21’s commitment to building trusted, long-term partnerships that support excellence in research, education and global engagement, while its active collaborations in India, Africa and Latin America will enrich U21’s growing engagement with partners across the Global South. 

Encouraging international mobility and global partnerships  

Membership of U21 will strengthen Université Paris-Saclay’s international engagement and create new opportunities for mobility, collaboration and partnership for students, researchers and professional staff. 

Through the U21 network, Université Paris-Saclay’s approximately 50,000 students will have access to a wide range of activities that promote intercultural engagement, including collaborative programmes, challenges and networking initiatives, with a particular focus on sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Professor Camille Galap, president of Université Paris-Saclay, said:  

Université Paris-Saclay is delighted to formalise its membership of the Universitas 21 network. By combining our strengths in research, education and innovation with those of thirty of the world’s leading universities, we aim to contribute to developing new solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s economic and societal challenges, while fostering world-class interdisciplinary research, supported by student mobility and international collaborations.”

A leading scientific cluster with global reach 

Covering the fields of science and engineering, life sciences and health, and humanities and social sciences, Université Paris-Saclay has placed innovation at the very heart of its strategy. Working closely with a rich industrial R&D ecosystem, the university integrates fundamental and applied research in line with its core missions of research and education. Together, the members of Université Paris-Saclay represent approximately 13% of French R&D, forming a powerful scientific cluster with strong links between research, innovation and societal impact.

Université Paris-Saclay aims to educate the citizens of the future while contributing to solutions for major societal challenges, including Health and Well-being; Energy, Climate, Environment, and Sustainable Development; Biodiversity, Agriculture and Food; Sharing Knowledge; Digital Transformation and AI; Transport and Mobility; Aeronautics and Space; and Industrial Renewal. 

Professor Jenny Dixon, Provost of Universitas 21, commented:

We are delighted to welcome Université Paris-Saclay to the U21 network. Its strengths in science, innovation and R&D, combined with a strong international outlook and commitment to tackling major societal challenges, make Paris-Saclay an excellent fit for our global community. We look forward to the expertise, leadership and collaborations it will bring to the network, building on the strong relationships it already holds with many of our U21 members.”

The addition of the Université Paris-Saclay to the Universitas 21 Network reflects U21’s commitment to building a global community of world-leading universities. Together, we look forward to creating new opportunities, advancing research and education, and shaping solutions to global challenges. 

Find out more

• Find out more about Université Paris-Saclay
• Explore U21’s opportunities for staff and students