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Institut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI): A Center of Excellence at the Heart of Nice Méridia

A major event: The inauguration of the Institut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI) on January 15, 2025, at Nice Méridia (Nice Ecovallée), attended by key scientific and political figures.
A state-of-the-art facility: 4,908 m² dedicated to research, combining architectural innovation and environmental sustainability.
A center of excellence: 171 researchers and staff specializing in quantum physics, photonics, and complex fluids.

An Inauguration at the Heart of Nice Méridia

On January 15, 2025, the Institut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI) was inaugurated in the Nice Méridia technology hub, a symbol of innovation and sustainability. This event marked a significant milestone for regional and national scientific research.

Located in the Eco-campus of the Plaine du Var, the institute is designed to foster collaboration between researchers, innovative companies, and students.

Nice est bien plus qu’une destination touristique, c’est une ville d’avenir, de science et de progrès.

Aujourd’hui, j’ai l’honneur d’inaugurer l’Institut de Physique de #Nice06, #INPHYNI, au nom de @RenaudMuselier.

Ce sont 4M€ qui ont été investis par @MaRegionSud, pour… pic.twitter.com/dHwBeg2H38
— Magali Altounian (@MagaliAltounian) January 15, 2025

A Bold Investment for a Major Project

The building, a €22.5 million investment, was funded through the Plan Campus Pro and the State-Region Plan Contract, with key contributions from:

€12.997M from Campus Pro
€4M from the French State
€4M from the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region
€1.502M from Université Côte d’Azur

Designed by AIA Life Designers, the architecture blends concrete and wood to minimize environmental impact. The facility includes collaborative spaces and a rooftop garden, strengthening synergy between research and innovation.

INPHYNI: A Center for Research Excellence

The Institut de Physique de Nice, a joint research unit under Université Côte d’Azur and CNRS, brings together 171 staff members conducting cutting-edge research in:

Waves and Quantum Physics – applications in cryptography and astrophysics
Photonics – advanced optical fibers and neuromorphic devices
Nonlinear Physics and Complex Fluids – innovations in healthcare and recycling

According to Guillaume Huyet, Director of INPHYNI:
“The inauguration of the Institut de Physique de Nice marks a significant step in our laboratory’s history. This building embodies our ambition: to provide a workspace suited to today’s and tomorrow’s scientific challenges while fostering collaboration. INPHYNI is where fundamental research meets real-world applications. From photonics to quantum physics, fluid dynamics, and complex materials, our work aims to enhance our understanding of the world and address societal needs. Our research follows an international trajectory, supported by partnerships with prestigious institutes and industry collaborations. Every member of our community—researchers, faculty, PhD students, engineers, and technicians—contributes to the diversity and richness of our projects. This new facility enables us to pursue our ambitions in an environment conducive to innovation. Through this press release, I invite you to discover the many facets of the Institut de Physique de Nice.”

Strong Support from the Sud Region, Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and the City of Nice

The Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region invested €4.35 million in this strategic project. Renaud Muselier stated:
“Supporting scientific excellence and strengthening the appeal of our research institutions is a priority for our region. With ambitious investments and strategic partnerships, we affirm our position as one of Europe’s most innovative regions.”

Since 2008, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and Deputy President of the Sud Region, has pursued an ambitious strategy to establish the region as a major player in higher education and research.

This vision is built on strong public-private partnerships, aimed at creating a comprehensive ecosystem fostering economic growth and professional integration.

With the development of specialized campuses and the arrival of prestigious schools like CESI, Centrale Méditerranée, and ISART Digital, the metropolis has doubled its student population in 15 years, from 25,000 to 50,000.

INPHYNI, part of the Eco-campus of the Plaine du Var within the Eco-Vallée National Interest Operation, exemplifies this strategy.

Located in an ideal environment for research and innovation, it provides students and researchers with modern facilities connected to industry and startups.

To enhance accessibility, the Metropolis extended tram line 3, directly linking INPHYNI to the city center, and is currently constructing a major multimodal transport hub at Grand Arénas, one of the largest in Europe.

Since 2023, the City of Nice has provided direct financial support to INPHYNI, notably funding a three-year PhD position in quantum data security. This initiative is part of a broader vision to create a dynamic, excellence-driven university ecosystem in collaboration with Université Côte d’Azur and leading academic and economic institutions.

A Global Research Hub

With over 100 annual publications and groundbreaking projects like Quantum@UniCA, INPHYNI is recognized among the top 200 universities in physics in the Shanghai Ranking.
Its ability to attract international talent and collaborate with prestigious institutions reinforces its central role in scientific and technological research.

Source: Université Côte d’Azur, Région Sud, Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur.