Argentina's research sector confronts funding crisis as Conicet protests scholarship freeze and UNC allocates $460 M

Researchers at the Conicet Rosario centre staged a street protest on 1 July, warning that the continuity of 379 scholarship positions is at risk amid a national freeze on research grants. The demonstrators highlighted the potential loss of talent and disruption to projects in health, production and technology, and called for stable budgeting and respect for scientific commitments.

At the same time, the National University of Córdoba announced a package of more than $460 million to keep its laboratories operating. The university’s rector Jhon Boretto and science secretary Daniel Barraco Díaz said the funds will cover equipment purchases and repairs, describing the situation as “the worst moment in the history of the national scientific‑technological system.” The investment aims to preserve research capacities while the broader Argentine science sector struggles with budget cuts.