PoC blockchain

The “PoC blockchain” project is a proof‑of‑concept that consists of deploying a blockchain infrastructure. This infrastructure will be used to test a selection of use‑cases employing blockchain for research data: traceability, integrity, priority, intellectual property. The project brings together skills from various domains: legal, administrative, software development, cyber‑security…

Team

Carriers

  • Cédric GOBY (CATI PROSODIe – INRAE)
  • Emmanuel LANDRIVON (Ircelyon – CNRS)

    Members

  • Pierre CATALA (DSI – INRAE)
  • Christophe LANGRUME (CATI DIISCICO – INRAE)
  • Nicolas LAPALU (CATI BARIC – INRAE)
  • Sandrine SABATIÉ (CATI PROSODIe – INRAE)

    Other contributors

  • Poomedy RUNGEN (Polytech Montpellier)
  • Fabienne BARLET (CRB Gamèt – CIRAD)
  • Laurie ACENSIO (ONERA)

    Support

  • Sébastien CAT (DSI INFRA – INRAE)
  • Eddie IANUCCELLI (DSI INFRA – INRAE)
  • Thierry DELPRAT (DSI INFRA – INRAE)

Context

  • What is blockchain?
    Blockchain (block chain in French) is a technology that allows one to keep a record of a set of transactions (writes to the blockchain) in a decentralised, secure and transparent way, as a chain of blocks. A blockchain can therefore be likened to a large tamper‑proof register.
  • Contribution of blockchain to science
    Blockchain technology offers a robust solution to guarantee the intellectual property, integrity and authenticity of scientific results, to prevent data falsification, and to ensure transparency and traceability of research processes.

The project

In this context, the “Proof of Concept Blockchain” project aims to create a blockchain infrastructure for testing purposes. This infrastructure consists of an Ethereum blockchain and a blockchain explorer.

The open‑source Ethereum blockchain is a logical choice in a scientific context because its smart‑contract capabilities enable the management of intellectual‑property rights and data certification.

Moreover, Ethereum has a very large community, extensive documentation and many examples, which makes set‑up easier for a rapid PoC deployment.

Tools for Ethereum, such as Geth or Truffle for smart‑contract development, are well‑established and widely documented. It is relatively straightforward to launch a private Ethereum network with these tools.

In a scientific blockchain, it is essential to create a private or permissioned network. This means that only authenticated actors (scientific institutions, laboratories, universities) can add or validate data, while the information stored on the blockchain remains publicly accessible.

Furthermore, opting for the Proof‑of‑Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism to validate blocks drastically reduces the energy consumption of an Ethereum blockchain.

This multidisciplinary project, potentially involving many collectives, will benefit from the expertise of the “Blockchain ESR” network members. It will also draw on resources from the Information Systems Directorate, local or national training services, and valorisation services.

Objectives

  • Acquire the skills to deploy and maintain a blockchain infrastructure
  • Develop blockchain‑based applications covering a selection of use‑cases
  • Define the legal and administrative frameworks for blockchain use
  • Define an economic and governance model
  • Explore avenues for adding value to the blockchain infrastructure
  • Develop communication and training activities around blockchain technology
  • Demonstrate the relevance and feasibility of deploying a blockchain for Higher Education and Research (ESR)

Action plan

  • 1st quarter 2025
    • Collect internship offers, select and recruit candidates
      • One M2 computer‑science internship – blockchain deployment
      • One M1 computer‑science internship – blockchain‑explorer deployment
    • Form thematic teams: Legal, Economics & Governance, Valorisation
    • Choose use‑cases in the fields of certification and traceability
  • 2nd quarter 2025
    • M2 internship – set‑up of the IT infrastructure and start of blockchain deployment
    • Design of applications for the use‑cases
    • Start of work by the thematic teams
  • 3rd quarter 2025
    • M2 internship – blockchain deployment
    • M1 internship – blockchain‑explorer deployment
    • Development of the applications
    • Interim report from the thematic teams
    • Organisation of communication activities around the project
  • 4th quarter 2025
    • Testing of the applications
    • Final synthesis report from the thematic teams
    • Organisation of training activities on blockchain technology

Deliverables

  • A test blockchain infrastructure
  • Applications responding to a selection of use‑cases
  • Source code and documentation deposited on the institutional forge
  • A synthesis report of the thematic teams’ work including
    • A legal analysis concerning blockchain use
    • Scenarios for the governance and financing of an ESR blockchain
    • Scenarios for adding value to a blockchain infrastructure
    • Recommendations on the choice of a production‑ready blockchain
  • Communication materials about the project for the various collectives
  • A training plan on blockchain technology

Review

The main objective was achieved: we deployed a private Ethereum blockchain and built applications for a selection of use‑cases. All documentation and source code are publicly available under an open licence.

Thanks to the outstanding work of our intern Poomedy RUNGEN, we acquired the skills needed for a deeper understanding of blockchain technology.

Poomedy went beyond the set objectives, so the originally planned M1 internship was not offered.

We repeatedly shared this knowledge with colleagues and presented the tested use‑cases, consistently noting interest and receiving new suggestions for use‑cases or collaborations.

Throughout the project, contacts were made and exchanges took place with companies offering blockchain‑related services, notably LibScience and BaaS.

We also had the privilege and pleasure of discussing blockchain with the computer scientist and mathematician Jean‑Paul Delahaye, who gave us encouraging feedback for the project.

Perspectives

The implementation of MTA (Material Transfer Agreement) certification on blockchain, carried out in collaboration with the CRB GAMéT, attracted the attention of CRB managers. In 2026 they intend to study more generally the integration of blockchain for tracking samples or products.

Following our discussions with INRAE colleagues during the PoC, new blockchain use‑cases may be examined in 2026: integration with the electronic lab notebook ElabFTW, integration with the Maggot software, integration with IoT or scientific instrumentation systems…

In 2026, as part of a new PoC we will evaluate IPFS, a decentralised file‑storage system complementary to blockchain.

Because the PoC blockchain synthesis report is not finalised, it has been decided to continue the work in 2026 within the IPFS PoC. Indeed, IPFS is a decentralised system just like blockchain, so the legal, governance, financing and valorisation aspects are practically identical.

The blockchain PoC will also serve as a lever to pursue the objectives of the Blockchain ESR network.

Deliverables

Source code and documentation

Legal analysis

Dissemination of results, communication material

Financial report

Below is a summary of the funds used during the SaPI “PoC blockchain” project.

Income € 7 800,00
Contribution from SaPI (INRAE) € 6 300,00
Contribution from UMR IRCELyon (CNRS) € 1 500,00
Expenditure € 7 750,31
:— —:
M2 internship – Poomedy RUNGEN € 2 831,85
Purchase of equipment (CNRS) € 1 500,00
Attendance at the 7th International Congress on Blockchain (Lille) – 2 persons € 2 221,66
Attendance at the inter‑CATI INRAE seminar (Avignon) – 2 persons € 68,90
Attendance at the INRAE Makers Seminar (Angers) – 1 person € 555,40
Purchase of components for IoT & blockchain prototype € 572,50
Balance € 49,69