The CNRS National Institute for Earth Sciences and Astronomy (INSU) aims to design, promote and coordinate national and international research in the fields of astronomy and of solid Earth, ocean, atmospheric and space sciences. Working with partner organizations and universities, INSU carries out prospective scientific studies in order to identify emerging research areas that require priority support. As part of the joint programs that it coordinates, the Institute funds research projects and sets up national and international facilities. INSU helps to structure national research in its own field, in particular by managing the network of Earth Science and Astronomy Observatories (OSU).