Three universities, Université de Provence, Université de la Méditerranée and Université de Droit, d'Economie et des Sciences, are working closely with leading research organisations ( CHU (University Hospital Centre): APHM (Marseille Public Hospitals Assistance), CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research), INSERM (National Institute For Health and Medical Research), INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research), IFREMER (French Institute for Exploitation of the Sea), INRIA (National Institute for Research on IT and Automatics), CEA (French Atomic Energy Authority) etc.), making Marseille the second-biggest centre for public research after Paris.