24 young scientific talents awarded by the Georges Besse Foundation and Orano
In Paris, on Saturday, October 11, twenty-four students from the class of 2025 received scholarships from the Georges Besse Foundation, with the support of the Orano Group.
A ceremony celebrating excellence and perseverance, encouraging future engineers to pursue their scientific ambitions.
A ceremony celebrating excellence and perseverance, encouraging future engineers to pursue their scientific ambitions.
24 new awardees
Every year, the Georges Besse Foundation recognizes deserving young science students, often facing financial challenges.
Its mission: to provide both financial and human support, helping them pursue their studies in the best possible conditions.
In 2025, 24 new recipients join a strong and supportive community of beneficiaries and alumni.
Your presence here testifies to your perseverance and excellence. Each of your achievements reaffirms the Foundation’s mission: year after year, to support new talents who are eager to contribute to scientific and technological progress.
Claude Imauven, President of the Georges Besse Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Orano
Video flashback: discover the highlights of the ceremony
Passing on the legacy of Georges Besse
The Foundation was created in memory of Georges Besse by his relatives and former colleagues, with the aim of supporting promising scientific students.
An engineer and pioneering industrial leader, Georges Besse played a key role
in developing France’s nuclear program. As CEO of COGEMA (Compagnie générale des matières nucléaires) from 1976 to 1982, he helped transform the company into a major player in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Today, COGEMA has become Orano, which continues its civil nuclear activities and proudly upholds its commitment to the Foundation.
Supporting tomorrow’s engineers
Since its creation in 1987, the Georges Besse Foundation has supported over 800 young people, from high school to engineering school.
The Foundation values diversity: nearly half of the scholarship recipients are international students, and one-third are women.
Scholarships range from €1,000 to €6,000, and several former awardees now contribute directly to Orano projects.
Each year, the Foundation offers:
- Personalized financial support until graduation
- Human and professional guidance through mentoring and an active alumni network
- Involvement opportunities for recipients wishing to give back and support younger students
Orano provides both financial support and active participation in governance, including the Board of Directors, the Selection Committee, and the Financial Committee.
Training tomorrow’s engineers is key to ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of our industry, but also to driving innovation and collective success in a sector that is essential to the country’s energy transition and sovereignty.
Nicolas Maes, Chief Executive Officer of Orano