Our mission

Supporting research and disseminating knowledge in humanities and social sciences
Façade de la FMSH

Building a world where understanding, pluralism, and free circulation of knowledge are the source of progress towards more inclusive and sustainable societies.

Created in 1963 by the historian Fernand Braudel, the Foundation supports innovative and international research in humanities and social sciences, and disseminates knowledge to the greatest number of people.

For 60 years, the Foundation has been advancing knowledge in humanities and social sciences to better understand the complexity of the world and explore the common challenges facing our societies.

By supporting each year nearly 400 researchers from around the world and ensuring the dissemination of a wide range of scientific resources, the FMSH is the largest humanities and social sciences foundation in France.

A model unique in Europe

Based on international cooperation, the Foundation's model rests on three pillars:

  • Promote the free circulation of knowledge
    Designed to facilitate the circulation of researchers and writings, the Foundation's scientific and editorial programmes aim to decompartmentalize knowledge and multiply perspectives to enrich the field of knowledge.
  • Nurture interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue
    As a platform for connecting scientific communities, the Foundation forges cooperative tools and programmes that promote diverse and inclusive thinking.
  • Disseminate research widely
    The Foundation has developed strong expertise in dissemination of research work. It ensures that everyone - scientific community, decision-makers, civil society actors and citizens - has access to scientific knowledge in order to act and positively transform our society.

This model enables to nurture pluralism in order to renew our way of thinking and seeing the world, and to change the way we look at the issues of our time.