PEPR 2026 Science Day - The subsurface, a common good
© PEPR Sous-sol, bien commun
This second Science Day since the launch of the programme is an important step for encouraging exchanges between communities concerned by the issues of subsurface resources and uses, and for presenting the progress of the various research projects.
Lectures, round tables and other events will give a more detailed insight into the work of the scientists involved in the programme.
PEPR - The subsurface, a common good: a research programme for the responsible, sustainable use and exploitation of the subsurface.
The exploratory PEPR - The subsurface, a common good programme, co-directed by BRGM and CNRS, aims to develop knowledge of France’s subsurface at a time when there is a growing need for a better understanding of its resources and uses, and for better management of conflicting user demands. With a budget of 71.4 million euros spread over 7 years, it brings together 35 institutions and laboratories.
On the program
9.30am - Opening lecture
The 2026 edition of the programme's Science Day will have the pleasure of welcoming Romain Garcier and Clément Levard, two of the three scientific leaders of the collective scientific expertise assessment on the responsible use of rare earths, published by CNRS last November.
An inaugural presentation drawing on their respective expertise in geographical approaches to critical materials and rare earths, and in environmental geoscience, will put into perspective the challenges of assessing demand for resources, their recycling and technological innovation in the development of alternative mining methods.
The programme managers will then present the role of rare earths in some of the projects funded, in particular the regional projects and the work carried out to estimate demand and requirements.
10:55 am - Highlights of regional projects
Four of the five regional projects will each present their first scientific results. This will cover the work of teams studying the territories of the Rhine Graben, French Guiana, the Aquitaine Basin and the Massif Central.
2.00 pm - Latest programme news
The managers will present:
- the 8 new winners of the call for projects issued in 2024 and the guidelines for the next call, which will be opened at the beginning of 2026;
- the winning projects from the call for expressions of interest concerning training initiatives.
2.30 pm - Highlights of targeted projects
Four of the eight targeted projects will be presenting their first scientific results. We will have the pleasure of discovering the work of the project teams:
Digital Earth: a unique platform for subsurface knowledge.
InnovTech: innovative and sustainable technologies for responsible exploitation of subsurface mineral resources.
LCA-SUB: platform for environmental assessment and the incorporation of a life cycle approach to sustainable use of the subsurface.
JPEC: analysis of the evolution of mining law in a context of energy transition.
3.30 pm - Poster session
At the end of the day, there will be an informal opportunity to discover all the targeted projects, regional projects and projects resulting from the call for projects through their posters.
