The Network of Authorities of Science and Technology Institutes of Argentina referred to accusations from the Javier Milei administration. Tensions are growing in the sector. They claim that there is a “massive exodus of young researchers.”
Tensions between the government and the scientific community escalate. The Network of Authorities of Science and Technology Institutes of Argentina (RAICYT), responded to statements made by the Government in Ámbito. “Funding is not allocated according to political favoritism”they warned in a statement published on social media. The back-and-forth occurs after this media outlet revealed the official decision to halt the push for new research projects.
On Wednesday, RAICYT challenged the Government’s explanation for the paralysis affecting the Science and Technology sector. In dialogue with Ámbito, the Agency had argued that the situation has nothing to do with the lack of funds. but that a “strategic change is being carried out, which consists of specific financing for science projects that are fundamental to the development of the Nation” and that “transparent award mechanisms are sought, without political favoritism.”
On this point, The Network of Authorities of Science and Technology Institutes of Argentina assured that until now “the financing was not assigned according to political favoritism”Along these lines, they explained that “the entire evaluation process is carried out under strict transparency standards.”
In the statement published on social media, five points were highlighted:
- Assessment requirements: For projects to be considered for evaluation, the researchers responsible must have a certain number of scientific publications or patents in the last five years.
- Evaluation process: Evaluable projects are sent to coordinators who are scientists with a recognized track record from different regions of the country for assignment to independent specialist evaluators. Many of them work abroad.
- Summation of evaluations: Once the evaluations have been collected, the scores are summed up, taking into account the scientific quality and the career of the researcher responsible.
- Ad hoc commission: An ad hoc committee is then convened to analyse the grounds for the evaluations carried out independently, ensuring the transparency and rigour of the process. This committee is made up of renowned scientists who did not submit projects in the category of the call. In other words, there is no conflict of interest.
- Order of Merit: Finally, a ranking of merit is drawn up based on the evaluations and analyses carried out by the commission. This ranking is used to allocate available funds to the best-rated projects.
A recent report from the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology and Innovation (Ciicti) highlights that the Science and Technology (S&T) function of the National Budget was 51.6% below in real terms in July of the amount executed in the same month of 2023. RAICYT warns that the brain drain has already begun: “A process of mass exodus of young researchers and loss of support and administrative staff has begun.”
Source: Ambito
