The Foundation Maif: A Journey towards Research and Prevention
The Foundation Maif was established in 1989 and obtained public utility status from the beginning, ensuring its independence from Maif. The idea behind its creation was clear: an insurer cannot intervene only after an incident occurs. Prevention and research must be at the core of its actions. Maif allocated about 25 million euros to fund independent research on risks for the benefit of the general interest.
Evolution in Research Focus
Initially, the foundation mainly supported theses. Over the past decade, with support from a scientific council comprised solely of volunteer researchers, the foundation aimed to strengthen the notion of impact. Today, their work revolves around four main areas: mobility, natural risks, housing and daily life, and digital technology. They also focus on emerging risks. The goal is to shift from a simple prevention logic to a true risk culture: anticipating, adapting, and reducing the vulnerability of individuals, properties, and territories.
Concrete Impact of Research
Research on motorcycle helmets identified injuries related to head rotation during accidents, leading to changes in helmet certification. Studies on autonomous vehicles revealed a slower adoption rate than expected, impacting insurance practices. Currently, the foundation is heavily involved in lithium-ion battery research, particularly on thermal runaway risks and firefighting challenges, crucial for insurers and firefighters.
Project Selection and Financing
Every two years, the scientific council and board collaborate to define project calls. Their recent focus is on housing in the face of climate change, with nine projects selected out of forty-eight proposals. They finance around ten projects annually with an approximate budget of 1 million euros, lasting three to four years and often co-financed. A team closely follows researchers, visiting labs to ensure tangible outcomes.
Financial Support and Collaboration
The foundation yearly allocates about 1 million euros, covering roughly fifty percent of project costs. The remaining funds come from other financiers, including foundations and institutions, as well as self-financing through university research personnel’s contributions. Their projects last between two to five years, with ongoing projects usually ranging between twenty to twenty-five.
Balancing Everyday and Emerging Risks
As risks become more systemic, understanding new technologies, behaviors, and phenomena is essential for developing preemptive solutions. Preventing accidents is key in insurance, with every euro invested in prevention potentially saving eight euros in claims. Transitioning from reactive to anticipatory measures is crucial for individual responsibility and effective action.
Vision for the Future
Building on the previous leader’s focus on impact and collaboration with behavioral sciences and design, the current goal is to enhance the practicality and visibility of supported research. The belief in scientific research as a catalyst for progress drives the foundation to act as a space for knowledge exchange and collaboration amidst future challenges like climate risks, insurability of territories, and artificial intelligence. Science is not an alternative but a prerequisite for effective and responsible action. Prioritizing dialogue between researchers, stakeholders, and citizens is crucial to address societal urgencies.
