Amid severe budget cuts initiated by President Javier Milei, Argentina’s scientific community faces a crisis, with researchers like biologist Vanesa Puente leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. Puente, who specializes in developing therapies for Chagas disease, plans to relocate to the Czech Republic in early 2025 after experiencing significant funding losses and salary reductions at the national Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet). The situation has sparked concerns over a potential “brain drain,” as many scientists seek employment in the private sector or overseas, citing a lack of state investment in crucial research. Despite the challenges,Puente remains optimistic about the global recognition of Argentine scientists,emphasizing their resilience and commitment to advancing science under challenging circumstances.In a stark reflection of the current state of science in Argentina,Alejandro Díaz-Caro,a quantum computing expert,recently relocated to France after witnessing a dramatic decline in support for scientific research back home. Onc celebrated as heroes, researchers now face severe budget cuts, with the government slashing funding by over 30% in its first year under President Milei. Salaries have plummeted, and thousands of jobs have been lost in the National System of Science and Technology, leading to a brain drain as many scientists seek opportunities abroad. Díaz-Caro warns that without significant investment, it could take decades to recover from this crisis, highlighting the urgent need for a renewed commitment to science and technology in Argentina.In August 2024, the Faculty of Exact Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires witnessed a significant strike by professors, highlighting ongoing tensions in Argentina’s scientific community.The Subsecretariat of Science has dismissed claims of a mass exodus of researchers, attributing recent challenges to a lack of strategic direction in science and technology policies. Officials noted issues with unaccounted expenses and criticized the excessive expansion of funded research, which they argue has hindered productive progress. As budgetary concerns mount, a collaborative effort involving the Subsecretariat, Conicet, and other scientific authorities is underway to address these pressing financial issues and redefine research priorities. físico Jorge Aliaga, integrante del Consejo Directivo del Conicet en representación de las universidades, suma que durante 2024 fueron paralizadas las compras de grandes equipos. “La ley de Financiamiento Científico establecía que se debía invertir el 0,4% del PBI en ciencia y este año será de apenas el 0,2%”, detalla.
Con ese grado de recortes, Aliaga concluye que se verán afectadas todas las líneas de investigación porque “no ha habido un redireccionamiento” ni se priorizaron proyectos específicos con mayor aporte tecnológico o relacionados con la Inteligencia Artificial, un asunto que ha causado interés en Milei, quien al cumplir un año de mandato ha dicho que espera que argentina se convierta en un polo de IA y que para ello pretende potenciar la energía nuclear, un sector que históricamente tuvo apoyo y que este año ha sufrido la motosierra con la paralización de proyectos clave.
La fuga de cerebros en Argentina
El éxodo de investigadores gana terreno en un país que cuenta con una historia marcada por el ajuste y la represión que obligó a muchos científicos a emigrar. El más destacado fue la Noche de los Bastones Largos,en julio de 1966,cuando el Gobierno de facto de Juan Carlos onganía ordenó intervenir las universidades nacionales y hubo 400 detenidos entre estudiantes,docentes y autoridades. Aquel ataque abrió paso a una brutal censura de contenidos y al desmantelamiento científico y educativo, con más de 300 profesores e investigadores que se fueron a trabajar al exterior.
Décadas más tarde, la fuga de cerebros se repitió por el ajuste y la represión en la última dictadura y, más tarde, por los recortes que aplicó el Gobierno de Carlos Menem con el cierre de institutos y la recordada respuesta del entonces ministro de Economía, Domingo cavallo, cuando mandó a “lavar los platos” a una investigadora del Conicet que reclamaba mejoras salariales.
Aliaga pone el acento en el “maltrato desde las más altas esferas del Estado hacia los investigadores y la actividad científica en general”, un combo del que ha participado el propio presidente, que amenazó con cerrar el Conicet. Incluso el portavoz presidencial, manuel Adorni, ha acusado a ese organismo de trabajar en “investigaciones de dudosa calidad”. A eso se suman ataques de partidarios del Gobierno en las redes sociales, donde tachan a los científicos de “parásitos”, “vagos” o “casta”. Ante la consulta sobre las agresiones, desde la Subsecretaría responden que “ningún funcionario les faltó nunca el respeto a los científicos”.
Puente recuerda con nostalgia sus primeros pasos en la carrera, “una época con impulso a la ciencia”. “Me formé siempre en Argentina, cuando empecé a estudiar el país venía de tocar fondo. Me educó una generación de profesores que contaban de sus experiencias en el exterior porque no habían tenido forma de investigar en el país. PThe Venezuelan migrant crisis continues to escalate,with over 6.8 million people fleeing the country due to severe political and economic turmoil, making it the second-largest displacement crisis globally. Neighboring countries in Latin america, including Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, have opened their borders and implemented protective measures to accommodate the influx of Venezuelan refugees. These nations are providing essential services and legal documentation to help migrants integrate into their new communities. As the humanitarian situation worsens, international organizations are calling for increased support and solidarity to address the needs of those affected by this ongoing crisis, which has profoundly impacted the region’s stability and social fabric [1[1[1[1][2[2[2[2][3[3[3[3].
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us. Argentina’s scientific community is experiencing a crisis,exacerbated by president javier Milei’s severe budget cuts. Could you explain how these funding cuts are impacting researchers like biologist Vanesa Puente, who is leaving for the Czech Republic?
Expert: Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed alarming. Biologists like Vanesa Puente,who focuses on developing therapies for Chagas disease,are faced with drastically reduced funding and salary cuts at the national Scientific and Technical Research Council,or conicet. These cuts have driven many talented scientists to seek better opportunities abroad as they feel the environment for research at home has become untenable.
Editor: It sounds like ther is a considerable brain drain occurring. Can you elaborate on this trend and its implications?
Expert: Absolutely. The term ”brain drain” aptly describes the phenomenon we are witnessing, where esteemed researchers leave Argentina for countries offering more robust support for scientific endeavors.Alejandro Díaz-Caro, a quantum computing expert, is another example—he relocated to France due to the decline in research support. With government funding cut by over 30% in just the first year, and many job losses in the National System of Science and Technology, the impact is quite severe.This exodus not only diminishes the local talent pool but also means that innovative projects that could benefit Argentina are being pursued elsewhere.
Editor: Despite these challenges, Puente remains optimistic about the potential of Argentine scientists.What do you think is driving this resilience among researchers?
expert: That’s an important point. Many Argentine scientists have a strong sense of dedication to their work and a desire to contribute to global science despite the adversities. They hold international recognition for their contributions, as seen during the development of Argentina’s COVID-19 vaccine and advancements in nuclear technology. This credibility fuels their optimism and commitment to continue advancing science, albeit often from abroad.
Editor: The Argentine government seems to be downplaying the situation, attributing the challenges to a lack of strategic direction. What is your take on this response from the subsecretariat of Science?
Expert: it’s quite concerning. While they argue that issues stem from unaccounted expenses and a bloated research funding landscape, the reality is that research requires consistent investment to thrive—something that has been drastically undercut. Jorge Aliaga, a representative from Conicet, has pointed out that the required investment in science has halved from 0.4% of GDP to just 0.2% this year. Such drastic reductions will inevitably stunt all lines of research and innovation. What is needed is not only a reevaluation of policies but also a committed reinvestment in science to avert long-term repercussions.
Editor: It seems that a collective effort is underway to redefine research priorities. Do you believe this could lead to positive changes?
Expert: Potentially, but it requires sincere commitment and resources. the collaboration between the Subsecretariat, Conicet, and other scientific authorities is a step in the right direction. However, this will take time, and without immediate action, the impacts of these budget cuts could be felt for decades. Argentine scientists could find themselves at a severe disadvantage in the global scientific landscape, which would be a tremendous loss for both Argentina and the world.
Editor: Thank you for your insight. It’s clear that the situation requires urgent attention if Argentina hopes to retain its scientific talent and maintain its contributions to global research.
expert: Thank you for highlighting this issue. The resilience of the scientific community is commendable,but it must be supported by appropriate policies and funding to ensure that valuable research continues to flourish in Argentina.