Argentina's CONICET risks losing 379 postdoctoral researchers

Around 379 postdoctoral fellows at Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) face termination of their contracts on 1 August after the agency failed to renew their extensions and froze new appointments to the permanent researcher career, citing budget cuts. The affected scholars had already passed competitive academic evaluations for permanent positions, but administrative delays have left them without income and health coverage.

Scientific unions and labor groups have organized protests at CONICET facilities in Buenos Aires and other provinces, warning that the funding shortfall threatens entire research lines in health, biotechnology and regional development. Officials, led by CONICET director Daniel Salamone, have kept the appointments in administrative limbo. Researchers fear a wave of brain drain as many consider moving abroad or leaving science for other sectors.

The episode highlights a broader fiscal contraction in Argentina's science and technology budget, now estimated at 0.14 % of GDP, and adds pressure on regions such as Rosario, Misiones, Tucumán and La Rioja where projects are at risk of suspension.