Scientific Advisory Board

The Scientific Council is one of the four councils that oversee our governance. Its mission is to ensure the quality and consistency of our scientific policy.

Composition of the Scientific Council

The Scientific Council has 27 members, including its chair, who is appointed from among its members by order of the Minister of Health, following consultation with the Scientific Council.

Members are appointed upon the recommendation of our Director General for a four-year term, renewable, by decision of the Chair of the Board of Directors, following the Board of Directors’ approval of the list of members.

Responsibilities of the Scientific Council

The Scientific Council’s responsibilities are to:

  1. Provide advice on Santé publique France’s research, expertise, and study priorities, as well as on its policy regarding scientific partnerships and program planning
  2. Assist Santé publique France’s management in developing procedures for calls for proposals
  3. To validate and oversee the evaluation process for Santé publique France’s scientific activities, and to issue recommendations to management based on the results obtained
  4. Provide advice on the need to establish expert committees


It assists Santé publique France in its mission to contribute to the development and implementation of national and European public health policies. It may, on its own initiative, make observations and recommendations on any scientific or technical issue falling within the agency’s area of expertise. These are forwarded to the Director General and the Chair of the Board of Directors.

It prepares an annual report on the scientific and technical aspects of Santé publique France’s activities. This report is submitted to the Board of Directors and the General Directorate of Health.

The Scientific Council is called upon to issue opinions and recommendations on (non-exhaustive list):

  • The objectives and performance agreement and its implementation;
  • The annual work program and strategic directions;
  • The various programs implemented in the areas of early warning, preparedness, and response to public health emergencies, as well as surveillance, prevention, and health promotion, including communication efforts;
  • The terms of Santé publique France’s collaboration with research partners;
  • The expert review process implemented by Santé publique France;
  • Lessons learned by Santé publique France from external evaluations and audits, particularly where scientific quality and priorities are concerned;
  • The various strategies of Santé publique France whenever a scientific component must be taken into account;
  • Any topic it deems relevant, particularly with regard to emerging issues (scientific, health-related, and societal).

The Scientific Council may also, at the request of the General Directorate or the Board of Directors, conduct reviews of Santé publique France’s directorates or programs.

List of Scientific Council Members

The public declarations of interest by the members of the Scientific Council are available at https://dpi-declaration.sante.gouv.fr/dpi-webapp/app/authentification.