French Chilean
Laboratory for Astronomy

The French Chilean Laboratory for Astronomy (FCLA), located in Chile, is an International Research Laboratory (IRL 3386) between the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and three major Chilean universities (Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad de Concepción) with the goal to promote and forge fruitful long-term collaborations between France and Chile in the field of Astronomy.

First founded in 2012, the agreement was recently renewed in the context of the 80 years anniversary of CNRS in 2019 in Santiago with the rich perspective of the growing and prolific Chilean astronomical community, and the development of ambitious and major astronomical facilities in Chile (LSST, CTA, GMT, ELT) in the upcoming decade. More than ever, Chile has become a major international centre for ground-based astronomy. Given the strong scientific and human connection between France and Chile for several decades, the Lab plays a central role to nurture this collaborative endeavour between both countries.

In addition to the professors and students at the three Chilean universities, the Lab counts on the presence of up to four permanent French researchers and on the existence of a visiting program to promote and support French and Chilean students and researchers for shorter term stays and internship.