The chancellerie des universités de Paris, guardian of the heritage of the old University of Paris, plays a central role in higher education in France. It contributes significantly to the reputation of research in the universities in the Île-de-France region by strongly backing the university laboratories as well as the work of young researchers in all disciplines. It also awards numerous distinctions that are partly funded by the donations and bequests granted to the old University of Paris and to itself since 1971, according to joint owned management of the Paris and Île-de-France universities heritage.