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OCR for page 89
Matching Fund Program for Scientific Research
El Consejo Nacional De Ciencia Y Tecnología (CONACyT)
Oscar Vázquez, CONACyT
This short paper presents the form in which the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y
Tecnología (CONACyT) funds scientific research in Mexico. CONACyT is the Mexican
federal agency in charge of promoting scientific and technological development. Two of
its main programs are providing research funds for the academic community and
providing fellowships for graduate training both in Mexico and in foreign countries. In
this essay, the current funding options are described.
Due to a lack of funds to meet the growing needs of the Mexican scientific community,
alternate ways to fund research and development have been sought. In the past, there was
one national call for proposals. A committee made up of scientists and CONACyT staff
selected at least two scientists to review each proposal. Although normally the scientists
came from Mexico, foreign reviewers are also called on regularly. Once the reviews are
received, the proposals are reviewed by the appropriate committee (i.e. Earth Sciences,
Biological Sciences, etc.). The proposals are rated according to their reviews, and
depending on the current financial situation, proposals are funded (i.e., it is possible for
an individual proposal to have a high rating, but not to be funded due to lack of funds).
Thus, under the new law on science and technology (Ley de Ciencia y Tecnología)
CONACyT has started a program known as Matching Funds that has allowed it to
increase the available financial resources for scientific and technological research in
Mexico.
The Science and Technology Law (LCyT) promotes decentralization ensuring the
development of scientific and technological activities in all states. This is particular
important for Mexico, as more than 50% of scientific research is conducted in the Mexico
City area. Thus, the LCyT is trying to increase the scientific base throughout Mexico,
including the Yucatan Peninsula. The LCyT has identified four sources of funding
including: international collaborative funds, institutional funds, federal matching funds,
and state or municipal matching funds.
Matching Funds promote scientific and technological development at the regional, state
and municipal level, through the contribution of resources from CONACYT as well as
from state and municipal governments. The specific objectives of the Matching Funds
are: a) to facilitate the decentralization of scientific and technological activities, b) to
enhance the development of human resources and research facilities regionally, and c) to
collaborate with the state governments in the setting of their research agenda.
The Matching Funds Program works in the following way: individual states or
municipalities are encouraged to identify regional or local problems that can be resolved
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through the use of science. CONACyT provides up to 70% of the funds and the
individual state (or municipality) provides anywhere between 30 to 50% of the additional
funds. The individual states, working closely with the state and/or regional CONACyT
representatives invite the academic community and society as a whole to present to them
the priority areas of research. The input from these meetings is used to approach different
ministries (such as the Secretary of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries) to
seek additional funds for the state priorities. Once the state decides on its priorities, a call
for proposals to address the regional or local needs is sent out. Scientists from local,
regional, and national universities may apply for these funds, as well as scientists from
private research institutions, private universities, industry, and other organizations that
have previously registered in the National Register of Scientific and Technological
Institutions (RENIECYT). Proposals are sent out for peer-review and a panel evaluates
the reviews and assigns funds to the best proposals. Figure 1 illustrates how CONACyT
has been able to increase the research funds.
GOVERNMENT
OF THE STATE
REGIONAL
PRIORITIES
NATIONAL
FUNDS
COUNCIL OF
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
STATE
PRIORITIES
OTHER
SOURCES
Figure 1 Matching Funds Program.
90
Representative terms from entire chapter:
funds program
