Founded in 1939, the CNRS is the largest basic research institute in France and in Europe (similar in function to the Chinese Academy of Sciences). CNRS has more than 1,200 research institutes, more than 90% of which are mixed research units, especially in association with institutions of higher learning, of which 40 laboratories are open to the public, 30 research groups have close international ties, and 15 international joint laboratories have been established. There are 15 international joint laboratories.