PNR EST: 36 research projects on environmental and occupational health selected for 2025
From the 275 proposals received in response to the two calls for proposals issued under the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST) in 2025, 36 projects were selected, covering a variety of themes:
- Seventeen projects focus on the chemicals to which populations may be exposed and the associated potential risks. These substances include endocrine disruptors and plant protection products. Four of the projects are dedicated to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances),
- Nine projects concern biological agents: bacteria, toxins and viruses. Four of these relate to vector control and two to antibiotic resistance,
- Five projects aim to assess exposure to radiofrequencies and their effects on health, two of which focus specifically on electromagnetic hypersensitivity. These projects follow on from the specific call for proposals on the theme of "radiofrequencies and health",
- Three projects are investigating the effects of artificial light on the health of humans and ecosystems.
These projects were chosen after a transparent selection process involving assessments by scientific committees made up of experts from outside ANSES.
The funded research will contribute to the knowledge required for assessing health risks to the general and occupational populations, and for assessing risks to ecosystems or the quality of different environments.
The selected projects will help to advance knowledge according to the One Health approach and will take account of the exposome, i.e. all the exposures to which an individual is subjected during their lifetime.
Projects selected on a range of themes
The projects explore various settings, including aquatic environments, soil, building interiors and the urban environment. Examples of the research devoted to the occupational environment include studies on the health of firefighters and farmers.
Several projects are investigating the links between environmental exposures and various health conditions such as cancer or metabolic, neurological and cardiovascular diseases, at different stages of life. They include eight epidemiological studies.
Lastly, some projects are considering economic, social or political dimensions with a view to gaining a better understanding of the issues associated with the risks under study.
How are the projects being funded?
From the 6.2 million euros allocated to the selected projects, 32 projects are being given a total of 5.4 million euros, funded by ANSES from budgets delegated by the Ministries responsible for the Environment, Labour, Health and Agriculture. Two projects are receiving support totalling 0.4 million euros from Inserm’s Thematic Institute for Cancer (IT Cancer), as part of the 2021–2030 ten-year Cancer Prevention Strategy, while two others are receiving funding under the Ecophyto plan, also amounting to 0.4 million euros. A specific budget is providing support for projects on endocrine disruptors. The announcement of the selected projects was delayed due to a restriction on the budget allocated to the programme in 2025. Some projects are being funded from the 2025 budget and others from the 2026 budget. This situation is not expected to affect funding for the calls for proposals issued in mid-2026.