The scientific excellence of the DSV's teams is the driving force behind its capacity for innovation and transfer to industry.

This excellence is reflected in terms of publications. Each year, more than 900 publications result from work conducted in the various DSV institutes. More than 100 articles are published in journals with an impact factor (IF) greater than 10, and around thirty in journals with an IF greater than 20 (Nature, Nature Materials, Science, Chemical Society Reviews, Nature Genetics, etc.): Highlights 2013.

This scientific excellence is also reflected in terms of funding from the European Commission, as part of its Framework Programs (FP) for Research and Development. Collaborative project grants and ERC (European Research Council) grants, notably including Proof of concept grants, are regularly awarded to DSV teams (list of projects funded by FP7).

This scientific excellence is part of the DSV’s placement as a major actor in the European Research Area (ERA) on issues of health and energy, particularly within the areas of neurodegenerative and infectious diseases and third generation biofuels.