Profile
Making an impact: Jacques Garaïalde, philanthropy to the highest of standards
From Polytechnique (the École polytechnique or l’X, the prestigious post-graduate school specializing in sciences and engineering) to a brilliant international career, Jacques Garaïalde has always believed in the power of opportunities. His commitment to Paris Brain Institute takes the form of earmarked, multi-year donations. This approach makes it possible for him to monitor the progress of programs in practical terms and provide long-term support. After supporting several research projects, in 2024 Jacques decided to fund a doctoral scholarship as part of the International PhD Program.
Born into a modest family in the Basque Country, Jacques Garaïalde was the fortunate recipient of a decisive opportunity at an early age: his parents moved to Versailles, which enabled him to attend preparatory school and then Polytechnique. “Without that move, my destiny would undoubtedly have been very different. Life is made up of opportunities to be seized,” he explains. It is this conviction that now drives his philanthropy, which is structured and rational, but also deeply human. “As soon as you have the means, it’s a moral obligation to pay it forward,” he likes to remind people. Education, health, art, and equal opportunities are his main areas of focus.
Since 2014, he has been a loyal supporter of Paris Brain Institute. What brought him on board? The Institute’s scientific excellence, organizational agility, and international stature. “I found deeply committed researchers, credible governance, and global ambition. That makes all the difference.”
Jacques Garaïalde is a pragmatic donor: he favors targeted, multi-year commitments. “If you want to be serious about it, a program cannot be designed for just one year. It is crucial for a project to be applied over time.” This choice reflects his approach as a former investor: rigorous, structured, but driven by genuine emotion.
“Seeing exactly what my donation is used for and meeting a student who embodies the future of research gives me immense satisfaction.”
Jacques Garaïalde
Since 2024, he has focused his support on the International PhD Program, which aims to attract young researchers from overseas each year to enable them to complete their PhD successfully. His scholarship now funds the work of Edisona, a Greek PhD student.
This meeting reinforced his approach: “Seeing exactly what my donation is used for and meeting a student who embodies the future of research gives me immense satisfaction.”
For Jacques, supporting the International PhD Program means investing in the future of science, giving young researchers the means to reveal their potential, and strengthening the global influence of Paris Brain Institute – a forward-thinking approach to philanthropy which holds true to his career path and convictions.
