National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (Argentina)

The National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) is the main body dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in Argentina, under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Nation.

Instituted as an autonomous body, the axes of its actions lie in: the granting of scholarships for doctoral and post-doctoral studies, the careers of the Scientific and Technological Researcher and Research Support Personnel, the financing of projects and Executing Units research, and the establishment of links with international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

CONICET's areas of interest include a large part of the disciplines of science, from engineering, exact, and biological sciences to social and human sciences. The staff is decentralized, working mainly in CONICET Institutes (75%) and in public universities (18%).

In 1951, the National Council for Technical and Scientific Research (Conityc) had been created, which integrated other existing state agencies and was led by President Juan Domingo Perón. On February 5, 1958, during the de facto government of General Pedro Eugenio Aramburu, CONICET was founded with a novel structure as it was a decentralized body that was placed under the direction of Bernardo Houssay, Nobel Prize in Medicine at a time when the prestige of science in Argentina had been affected by the failed Huemul Project carried out by the Austrian Ronald Richter from 1948 to 1952 and in parallel the CONITYC that had functioned in the area of the Ministry of Technical Affairs was dismantled.

History

Creating CONITYC

On May 17, 1951, during the first government of Juan Domingo Perón, the Conityc was created by decree 9695 of 1951. The structure integrated and perfected other organizations created previously by the same government, whose implementation was linked to the needs of the first five-year plan. The objective of the organization was to encourage research and the training of scientists and technicians who collaborate with Argentine development in all areas in accordance with the provisions of article 37 of the 1949 National Constitution, which stated: “... The State entrusts to the universities the teaching in the superior degree, which prepares the youth for the cultivation of the sciences at the service of the spiritual ends and the aggrandizement of the Nation and for the exercise of the professions and technical arts based on the good of the community...".

In its first stage, the Conityc brought together important scientists, such as the physicist José Balseiro, Enrique Gaviola, the nuclear engineer Otto Gamba and the astronomer Juan Bussolini (see Huemul Project).

This organization was dismantled after the self-styled Liberating Revolution that overthrew Perón in 1955.

Foundation as CONICET

CONICET was founded on February 5, 1958, under the direction of Bernardo Houssay, Nobel Prize in Medicine, during the de facto government of General Pedro Eugenio Aramburu. The history of the institution was closely linked to research in Biological and Health Sciences.

During the Frondizi government, in 1960, the figures of the Researcher and the Support Professional were introduced, both careers, arranging for research funding to allow scientists to dedicate themselves permanently and fully to what decades later would be would be known as R&D. Along with this, a national program of scholarships for research and another of subsidies for private research were defined.

CENPAT headquarters in Puerto Madryn, Chubut province.

In addition, CONICET developed agreements with provincial governments, academic entities and the private sector to give rise to specialized research centers; After the restoration of democracy and from the Frondizi government, the Experimental Center for Economic Housing in Córdoba, the Center for Research and Development in Paint Technology in La Plata, the National Institute of Limnology in the province of Córdoba, would be created, among others. of Santa Fe, the Institute of Technological Development for the Chemical Industry in Santa Fe, the Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant in Bahía Blanca and the National Center for Cosmic Radiation, which would eventually be restructured as the Institute of Astronomy and Space Physics located in the City Autonomous of Buenos Aires.

1970s

Houssay remained president of CONICET until his death in September 1971. In 1976 a military coup took place and a de facto government began that would last until 1983. This period was characterized by political persecutions, of which the universities They were one of the main focuses. The military government considered the national universities as "nuclei of subversion" and one of the measures it takes to reduce its power is to strengthen CONICET. That is why a reorganization of the organism begins that leads to the creation of a large number of centers and institutes. From the 13 institutes that existed in 1976, there were 116 in 1983. While the research and development budget of the universities was reduced, CONICET's was multiplied by seven.

In addition, during this stage, the development of regional centers began that would provide the necessary infrastructure for the creation of laboratories and research institutes adapted to the practical needs and natural conditions of the different regions. Regional centers were created in various parts of the country, including Rosario, Mendoza, La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia.

The CONICET administration during this period was denounced for fraudulent maneuvers in the management of subsidies when democracy returned.

1980s

In 1983 democracy returned after the inauguration of Raúl Alfonsín, which ended the period of political persecution, allowing the return to the country of scientists who had to go into exile during the previous five years. Alfonsín appointed Manuel Sadosky as head of the Science and Technology Secretariat and Carlos Abeledo at CONICET. The biggest problem of this time was the economic crisis for which the organization had little funds.

In this stage, the subsidy mechanism is modified, which goes from depending on the institute directors to being carried out through public calls. In addition, the Technological Transfer area is created within CONICET to improve the link with the productive sector.

1990s

During the administration of President Carlos Menem (1989 – 1999) some transformations took place in the national scientific-technological system in a context of strong budgetary restrictions. In 1996, a restructuring of CONICET was decreed, giving it the status of an autarkic and decentralized entity under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science. Although elections were called for the organization's board of directors, the authorities never took office because it was intervened by the Secretariat of Science, first in charge of Domingo Liotta and then Juan Carlos del Bello. The closure of income to the organization towards the middle of the decade produced a brain drain towards developed countries and an aging of the plant of national scientists.

The management of the subsidies passed to the brand new National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion, which meant a cut in the powers of CONICET. In addition, Technological Linkage Units (UVT) were created to serve as a link between research centers and companies.

2000s and 2010s

The administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner were characterized by a new boost to science and technology. In 2003, the Raíces plan was launched, which allowed the repatriation of more than a thousand Argentine scientists by 2014. The following year, there was an increase in salaries of up to 45% for scientific personnel through the Hierarchization of Scientific and Technological Activity. Eduardo Charreau (2002-2008) was appointed to CONICET, who was succeeded by Marta Rovira (2008-2012) and Roberto Salvarezza (2012-2015).

When a comparison is made between the years 2003-2015, an increase in the number of researchers is observed, which goes from 3,600 to 9,200, of doctoral and post-doctoral fellows who go from 2,000 to 10,000 and of professionals and technicians who go from a just over 2,000 to 4,000. The number of CONICET institutes (Executing Units) increased from 80 to 230 in 12 years.

The administration of Mauricio Macri was characterized by cuts in public spending that included the area of science and technology. Between 2015 and 2018 the drop in the budget for science and technology was 25% and according to available estimates for 2019 the final drop would be 38%. The annual income of new scientists to CONICET fell by 60%. During his tenure CONICET's president was Alejandro Ceccatto, with two brief internships for Mirtha Flawiá and Miguel Ángel Laborde.

In 2019, after the assumption of Alberto Fernández, the chemist Ana Franchi was appointed as president of CONICET. In addition, the Minister of Science and Technology, Roberto Salvarezza, announced that a path of salary recomposition for scholarship holders will begin, adding 500 new scholarships to the campus.

Objectives

According to its website, CONICET's objectives are:

• Promote and subsidize scientific and technological research, and support activities aimed at scientific and technological advancement in the country, the development of the national economy and the improvement of the quality of life, considering the guidelines established by the National Government.
• Promote scientific-technological exchange and cooperation within the country and abroad.
• Grants to research projects.
• Grant internships and scholarships for the training and improvement of university graduates, or for scientific research in the country and abroad.
• Organize and subsidize institutes, laboratories and research centers, operating in universities and in official or private institutions, or under the direct dependence of the Conicet.
• Manage the careers of the Scientific Researcher and Research and Development Support Personnel.
• Institute awards, credits and other actions to support scientific research.
• Provide advice to public and private entities in the field of their competence.

Institutional organization

Entrance to the CONICET building within the Technological Scientific Pole.

CONICET is self-sufficient, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation since 2019 when this ministry was created again. Since 2007 it was under the orbit of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, until it was absorbed by the Ministry of Education in 2018.

As of Decree No. 1661/96, CONICET's government is in charge of a Board of Directors made up of a President and eight members. The election of the members is carried out by means of the proposal of shortlisted voted and submitted to the consideration of the National Executive Power. Four shortlists are chosen directly by CONICET researchers and the rest are proposed by industry, agricultural, university, and science and technology organizations from the provinces.

At the central level, the administration is completed with an Internal Audit Unit, three Departments -Scientific and Technological Development, Evaluation and Accreditation and Operational Management- and a Legal Department. The rest of the professional administration body is made up of competitive posts. The Conicet is made up of the set of Executing Units, made up of Research Institutes, National Research and Services Laboratories (LANAIS) and Regional Centers.

CONICET is assisted in its decisions by its advisory bodies: the Qualifications Board; the Technical Board and the Advisory Commissions for large areas of knowledge.

Its executive centers operate distributed throughout the country in: 15 Scientific and Technological Centers (CCT), 11 Research and Transfer Centers (CIT), a Multidisciplinary Research Center and more than 280 exclusive Institutes of CONICET or double and triple dependency with national universities, public and private institutions.

Directory

Areas of knowledge

The National Council for Scientific and Technical Research is the main body dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in Argentina. Its activity is carried out in four large areas:

• Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Materials: This area includes especially applied research developments and in some cases experimental development, as well as basic research related to technological problems. About 22% of the researchers and 26% of the fellows work in these disciplines, while 20% of the executing units belong to this large area. It is composed of:
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Civil Engineering, Mechanics, Electrical and Related Engineering
  • Habitat, Environmental Sciences and Sustainability
  • Computers and Communications
  • Process Engineering, Industrial Products and Biotechnology
  • Technological and Social Development and Complex Projects.

• Biological and Health Sciences: the disciplines that integrate this great area are of vital importance for the improvement of the quality of life of society and have acquired a great relevance for its scientific production. Approximately 30% of researchers and 26% of the fellows belong to this knowledge sector. 35% of the executing units of the organism correspond to this large area. It is composed of:
  • Medical Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Veterinary
• Exact and Natural Sciences: in this great area of knowledge there are diverse disciplines, placing the organism in front of an area of basic sciences and applied with multiple and varied lines of research. About 23 per cent of investigators and 21 per cent of fellows are grouped in some of these disciplines. 29% of the executing units of the organism correspond to this large area. It is composed of:
  • Earth, Water and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Astronomy
  • Chemistry
• Social Sciences and Humanities: About 22% of the researchers and 26% of the fellows research in this area, which represents 17% of their Center and Institutes. Within this set of disciplines, some have a higher quantitative significance such as philosophy, history and sociology, although all present a marked diversification and development of scientific knowledge. It is composed of:
  • Law, Political Science and International Relations
  • Literature, Linguistic and Semitic
  • Philosophy
  • History, Geography, Social and Cultural Anthropology
  • Sociology, Social Communication and Demographics
  • Economics, Management Sciences and Public Administration
  • Psychology and Education Sciences
  • Biological Archaeology and Anthropology

Human resources

CONICET finances researchers (CICT), professionals and technicians who carry out research support tasks (CPA) and young graduates who are doing their doctorate or postdoctoral studies. All categories go through a public background contest to enter and are evaluated periodically.

As of 2018, the organization has more than 10,000 researchers, more than 11,000 doctoral and post-doctoral fellows, more than 2,600 technicians and research support professionals, and approximately 1,500 administrative staff.

Doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships

With the objective of training human resources for research, the Scholarship Program allows young university graduates from all regions of the country the exclusive dedication necessary to obtain doctoral degrees and postdoctoral training in different disciplines, both in national and international institutions. abroad. Internal doctoral scholarships are granted exclusively for postgraduate studies accredited by the National Commission for University Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEAU), in order to guarantee the desired excellence for the training of scholarship holders.

Doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships are divided into categories:

• Internal: General call
• Strategic themes: priority issues such as medicine, biotechnology and energy.
• EU projects: strengthening of the research line of CONICET institutes
• Co-financing: financed by CONICET, together with institutions or companies, in order to promote linkages with the goods and services sector.
• Latin American: for applicants from Latin American countries
• External: promote training in research centres of excellence abroad

Career of the Scientific and Technological Researcher (CICT)

The CICT is designed to promote the full and permanent dedication of researchers to scientific and technological work. The distribution of the members of the Scientific and Technological Researcher Career seeks to complement the actions of universities and the different national academic, scientific and technological organizations.

Investigators are divided into five categories that are progressed through rigorous performance evaluation:

• Assistant
• Deputy investigator
• Independent Research
• Principal
• Senior Researcher

Faced with the economic centralization and demographic distribution of the country, the institution has developed strategies for the insertion of researchers throughout the country: close to 60% of its researchers work in provinces outside the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires and distributed in all the Provincial States. On the other hand, 70% of the total CICT staff carry out their tasks in national universities and the rest do so in their own Executing Units or in decentralized Science and Technology organizations (INTI, INTA, CNEA, CONAE, etc.).

In the proposed projects, the CONICET reflects in the same way the disciplinary plurality in the research topics: 21.91% in Engineering and Cs. Agrarian, 29.77% in Cs. Biological and Health, 22.56% in Cs. Exact and Natural, 22.42% in Cs. Social Sciences and Humanities and 3.33% in Technology, a recently created category.

Career Support Personnel (CPA)

Similar in structure to the CICT, the Support Personnel Career is intended to provide qualified professional and technical support to research groups through a set of varied tasks. Some of its members are in charge of highly complex services or teams, others develop assistance in laboratories, in the field of experimentation and others in documentation centers or administration of research institutes.

The staff is close to 2700 members, who are grouped into the professional (60%) and technical (40%) categories with a ratio of 1 support staff for every 4 researchers.

Presidents

List of presidents updated to 2020:

Budget

The CONICET budget was:

Acknowledgments and rankings

The institution was awarded by the Konex Foundation in 2008 with the Konex Award - Special Mention, a distinction given to the most relevant personalities and institutions of the last decade in Argentina; and again in 2018 with a Konex Award- Diploma of Merit.

In 2022, CONICET was ranked as the best Latin American government research institution by the Scimago Institutions Ranking and second among all research institutions in the region after the University of São Paulo. Worldwide, CONICET ranks 141 among 8084 academic, scientific and governmental institutions dedicated to research.