Argentina's Sci-Tech Funding Hits 20-Year Low

Argentina's Scientific Expedition Captivates the Public, but Funding Crisis Looms

Argentina’s recent scientific expedition, "Talud Continental IV," has captured the imagination of the public and become a cultural phenomenon. The mission, which live-streamed the Mar del Plata submarine canyon using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian, drew an impressive audience. Each broadcast averaged 500,000 viewers, and in just three weeks, the project amassed over 17.5 million views. This success showcased the potential of Argentine science on the international stage, highlighting the country's capabilities in marine research and technological innovation.

The expedition was led by scientists from Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet) in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. It demonstrated how advanced technology can be used to explore and understand the deep ocean, making complex scientific processes accessible to a wide audience. However, this moment of triumph contrasts sharply with the broader challenges facing scientific research in Argentina.

A Declining Investment in Science

Despite the success of the Talud Continental IV mission, the funding for science and technology in Argentina has been in steady decline. According to a July report from the EPC, a group of researchers and analysts specializing in science, technology, and innovation policy, the country's science and technology budget has dropped to 0.156% of gross domestic product (GDP), the lowest level since 2002. This represents a 48% decrease compared to 2023, with spending in the first half of 2025 down 19% from the same period in 2024. The decline marks a more than 40% reduction in two years, a significant drop that echoes the economic crisis of 2002.

When President Javier Milei took office, the science and technology budget stood at 0.30% of GDP. However, severe cuts have followed as part of broader austerity measures aimed at funding social programs. These cuts have had far-reaching consequences for the scientific community.

Major Reductions in Research Funding

Several key research agencies and institutions have faced steep reductions in their budgets. Conicet, one of the most important research organizations in Argentina, lost 41% of its funding compared to 2024. The I+D+I Agency saw its budget cut by 67%, while the National Institute of Industrial Technology fell by 46%. The National Institute of Agricultural Technology lost 39.6%, the National Commission on Space Activities dropped 40%, and the National Genetic Data Bank saw its resources reduced by 50.4%.

These cuts represent an unprecedented reduction in government investment in science and technology. In 2024, the state financed 59.5% of the country's research and development, while private companies contributed only 20.7% and universities 1.2%. In research and development specifically, 61% of funding came from public agencies and universities.

Prioritizing Other Sectors

The government has prioritized other areas it considers key to development, including agribusiness, energy, mining, the knowledge economy, and health. Programs related to climate change, the environment, and social sciences have been sidelined. This shift in focus has already led to visible consequences: insufficient resources for research, lack of equipment and supplies, suspended contracts, wage cuts, and a growing brain drain of Argentine scientists abroad.

Impact on Scientific Employment

The effects on scientific employment are clear. An estimated 4,148 jobs have been lost in Argentina's National Science, Technology and Innovation System, with a third of these losses occurring at Conicet. The institution now has only 11,868 researchers, a significant reduction from previous years. For Guillermo Durán, dean of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires, the problem goes beyond economics.

“There is a political decision to dismantle Argentina's science and technology system and the high-quality public university system that has always set us apart as a country,” he said. His faculty lost 13% of its teaching staff in 2024 due to budget cuts and salary reductions. “These people decided to end a series of very good programs for Argentina. The damage they are causing could take many years to recover from,” Durán warned.

Agustín Campero, president of the Alem Foundation and former secretary of Scientific and Technological Articulation under President Mauricio Macri, agreed on the seriousness of the situation. “It is dire and will have severe consequences for Argentina's development,” he said.

Calls for Increased Investment

The Science System Financing Law, approved by Congress in 2021, set a schedule for the gradual growth of state investment in science and technology to reach 1% of GDP by 2032. This goal is what the scientific community and universities are now demanding. With the current trajectory, however, achieving this target seems increasingly uncertain. The contrast between the success of projects like Talud Continental IV and the ongoing funding crisis highlights the urgent need for sustained investment in science and technology to ensure Argentina's future competitiveness.