Our Missions
Created in 2016 on the initiative of Daniel Roullier, the Fonds de Dotation Roullier has a public interest mission to study, promote and foster sustainable agriculture in France and internationally.
It currently carries out this mission through two areas of action:
- Sponsorship of projects supporting agricultural research
- Scientific and technical activities through the Minerallium, temporary exhibitions and various annual events (conferences, symposiums, school days, etc.).
Sponsorship: a commitment to agricultural research
In 2025, the Fonds de Dotation Roullier became a signatory to the European Commission’s Soil Mission (Soil Manifesto), joining a community of actors committed to soil health at European and international level.
Two new partnership agreements, as part of a call for research projects, were also signed with the following organisations:
- The University of Burgundy Europe, a public research institution, to support the INFEROMICS project.
- The University of Calgary (Canada), a public research institution, to support the RECLAIMSOL project.
Outlooks for 2026
In early 2026, the Fonds de Dotation Roullier launched two new calls for proposals:
- Its second call for research proposals, ‘AAP Recherche Sols 2026 – 29 – Towards better understanding and sustainable management of soils: ecosystem services and innovations’. The application period is open until 6 April 2026.
- Its first call for educational projects, ‘AAP Pédagogique 2026 – 2027: Disseminating and innovating around knowledge in sustainable agriculture’. The application period is open until 6 April 2026.
Scientific and technical activities
The Fonds de Dotation Roullier houses the Minerallium, a 1,500 m² educational and scientific exhibition dedicated to minerals and their role in plant and animal nutrition.
Through a unique experience immersing visitors in the depths of the Earth, the Minerallium reveals the little-known but essential role of minerals, from the creation of our planet to their vital role in plant, animal and therefore human nutrition.
The Minerallium is open to the public via free guided tours lasting approximately 1½ hours for groups of up to 16 people.
Events and visits
Temporary exhibitions are also offered from time to time in the building’s lobby, with guided or self-guided tours. The first, entitled ‘The Water That Binds Us’, was devoted to the water cycle. The second, ‘Primitive Sea’, focused on a resolutely artistic approach through the painted works of artist Franco Salas Borquez. A new temporary exhibition opened on 15 January 2026 entitled ‘When Algae Touch Us’, focusing on the innovative and unexpected properties of algae.
The highlight of the year, the 2025 Science Festival, gave rise to a themed week devoted to plant intelligence, during which conferences, tours and activities for schoolchildren were offered to the public.
