Argentina scientists march against science and technology budget cuts

Argentine scientists, researchers, and university workers held a massive federal march, centered at the Obelisco in Buenos Aires, to protest severe budget cuts to the science and technology sector under President Javier Milei. Protesters used the slogan ‘Ciencia y Tecnología en Lucha’ to demand increased funding and the restoration of research programs.

Reports indicate that science and technology spending has dropped by approximately 50.2% between 2023 and 2026, leaving the sector's budget at just 0.14% of the GDP. This reduction has led to the loss of an estimated 6,400 jobs in the sector since December 2023, averaging roughly seven to eight positions per day. A major point of contention is the non-renewal of approximately 374 to 400 postdoctoral fellowships at CONICET, which many researchers claim is causing a ‘brain drain’ and dismantling critical research lines in medicine, biotechnology, and engineering.

While the scientific community warns of a ‘scientific genocide’ and irreversible damage to national sovereignty and development, Daniel Salamone, president of CONICET, has denied claims of systemic defunding or a mass exodus of talent. He stated that the agency is focused on maintaining excellence while increasing its impact on national productive development, noting that scholarship allocations are projected to increase in 2026.