I am delighted to join École Polytechnique and take over its leadership. I know the School, its values, and the unique position it occupies in the scientific, technological, and defense fields, and I fully appreciate the importance of the mission entrusted to me. I want to put my experience at the service of its ambitions and, together with all the School's communities, contribute to pursuing its development and enhancing its influence, while preserving what makes its strength and identity.
Bruno Bellier appointed Director General of École Polytechnique, member school of Institut Polytechnique de Paris
04 Sep. 2026
Palaiseau, September 4, 2026 – On September 1, Bruno Bellier took over as Director General of École Polytechnique, one of the six schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris). He will also serve as interim President of the School until the publication of its new organizational decree. As a graduate of École Polytechnique and General Engineer of Armament (Ingénieur général de l’armement), he also joins IP Paris governance as the Institute enters a new stage in its development.
Photo credit: ECPAD
A graduate of École Polytechnique (X92), Bruno Bellier also holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Université Paris V as well as a Master's degree in Public Law from Université Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne.
He has spent most of his career at the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), where he held scientific and technical expertise roles as well as strategy and innovation responsibilities in the defense sector.
Since July 2025, he had been Deputy Director of Engineering and Expertise at the DGA, with a mission focused on transformation. Prior to that, from 2021 to 2025, he headed DGA CBRN Defense, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces' expert center for nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical defense. He also contributed to the creation of the Defense Innovation Agency (AID).
An appointment at a key stage in the development of IP Paris
Bruno Bellier takes up his duties at a key moment for IP Paris. In early 2027, the Institute is preparing to exit its experimental public institution status to become a grand établissement, while drafting its new Objectives and Performance Contract (COP), setting out its major strategic priorities with the French State for the next five years. These two milestones mark a new stage in the structuring and development of the Institute.
Created in 2019, IP Paris brings together six major French engineering schools: École Polytechnique, ENSTA, École nationale des ponts et chaussées, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris, and Télécom SudParis. Together, they combine their expertise to offer education of excellence and conduct top-level research. Thanks to this unique academic and scientific foundation, IP Paris has established itself as a major player in science and technology in France and internationally.
In this context, the arrival of Bruno Bellier at the head of École Polytechnique strengthens IP Paris governance. His experience at the intersection of science, technology, innovation, and strategic issues constitutes an asset to support the ambitions of the Institute and its six schools.
I welcome the appointment of Bruno Bellier as Director General of École Polytechnique and wish him a warm welcome to the governance of IP Paris. École Polytechnique plays a central role in the construction and development of our Institute. I look forward to working with Bruno Bellier in the coming years to pursue this momentum with all our schools and carry forward the ambitions of IP Paris together.