The National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development, and Innovation (Agencia I+D+i) faces a paralysis since 2024, marked by the resignation of its president, extended calls for projects, and frozen salaries. According to a researcher, there is a delay in the execution of funds and projects, and it appears that no projects were awarded in 2024, leaving scientists without resources to conduct research.
It is noted that there have been no new calls or financing tools, only general announcements, which has prevented researchers from carrying out thoroughly evaluated projects. The lack of a president for most of 2024 led to the resignation of the head of the Agency in September of that year.
The Raicyt denounced to the Inter-American Development Bank that the government has withheld more than 50 million dollars intended for projects of the Agencia I+D+i. Administrative delays could explain part of the problem, as in previous years around 2,000 projects were awarded annually, while in 2024 there has been low funding flow.
As a result of this situation, researchers see how the processes of extensions without solutions affect science and technology in Argentina, and fear that discouragement, salary depression, and underfunding will lead young researchers to abandon the scientific system. They warn about the loss of human capital and the possibility of negative long-term consequences if the situation is not resolved. The complaint was made by the Network of Authorities of Science and Technology Institutes, but the Executive authorities have not yet responded to the claim.
