The SIGMA engineering school is a public institution under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research. It was created on 01.01.2016 following the merger of the French Institute for Advanced Mechanics (IFMA) and the National Graduate School of Chemistry (ENSCCF). SIGMA Clermont is member of the French Conference of graduate engineering schools, and the Gay-Lussac Federation, which comprises 20 French chemistry schools.  SIGMA is also an associated member of the Mines-Télécom network. SIGMA Clermont offers two degrees in engineering, recognized by the national engineering commission: engineer in chemistry and engineer in advanced mechanics. These degrees are equivalent to a Master of Science. Furthermore SIGMA Clermont, situated in the heart of the Clermont University science campus, is a member of Clermont University and Associates, the local higher education association.