Happy New Year 2026: a few words from ABG Chairman Jean-Luc BEYLAT

Dear partners and friends of ABG,
Dear colleagues,

As we enter this new year, I would like to extend, on behalf of the entire Association Bernard Gregory, our warmest wishes for 2026: may this year allow you to bring your projects to their fullest potential.

In 2025, ABG was fully engaged in the national transformations underway regarding the doctorate:

• participation in the Strategic Committee for the Doctorate, chaired by Sylvie Pommier;
• contribution to the future national information platform on the doctorate led by the State;
• preparation of an event for the forthcoming European Doctoral Day.

In line with our ongoing work, we also pursued our European-level development, where several initiatives carried out by our teams are gaining increasing traction. In parallel, we initiated the redesign of our B2B offer, essential to strengthening connections between companies, public employers and PhDs. This will remain one of our main priorities in the coming year.

The past year was also marked by the arrival of Chantal Vernis, Chief Operating Officer, who completed her first year with us. In 2026, we will accompany the departure of Vincent Mignotte, who devoted thirteen years to the development and visibility of ABG. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his decisive contribution to strengthening the association and its economic model.

However, the end of 2025 reveals a troubling development. Early indicators suggest a downward trend in doctoral enrolments, with a decline in total registrations despite the recent rise in first-time doctoral candidates. This trend, observed across many institutions, emerges precisely as major technological, environmental and industrial transitions accelerate, and as countries successfully navigating these transitions invest heavily in increasing their number of PhDs. France, meanwhile, has stagnated for more than a decade in annual PhD graduates and may now be entering a period of lasting decline in doctoral enrolments.

This perspective must prompt collective mobilisation. If such a trend were to persist, it would pose a real threat to the country’s capacity to innovate, to transform its industry and to address the major scientific and societal challenges of the coming decades.

In 2026, ABG intends to fully assume its role in helping reverse this trend:

• better informing Master’s students about scientific and technological career opportunities linked to the doctorate;
• strengthening our actions with companies (particularly SMEs) through a renewed B2B offer, to support the recruitment of PhDs;
• supporting doctoral schools in the implementation of the national recommendations of the Pommier–Lazarus report;
• and continuing to expand our European-level collaborations.

Our objective remains unchanged: to restore visibility, attractiveness and clarity to the doctorate in France.

Despite current uncertainties, we approach 2026 with determination and optimism. ABG will continue, with conviction, its work of connecting and supporting stakeholders so that the doctorate is increasingly recognised as a strategic asset for our society and our economy.

Finally, I would like to warmly thank the entire ABG team for its daily commitment, as well as our members, clients and partners for their continued trust. Together, let us carry on supporting scientific talent and fostering innovation throughout France.

I extend to all of you my best wishes for a year 2026 filled with success and fruitful collaborations.

With my deepest appreciation,

Jean-Luc Beylat
President of ABG – Association Bernard Gregory