montevideo

Reacting to pressure from the scientific community, the government of Uruguay has promised to set up a fund to support basic research, with an initial budget of US$1 million. It has also agreed to provide support for the only non-university research institute in the country, the Instituto Clemente Estable in Montevideo.

Both moves follow a protest letter sent by scientists in October to the country's president, Julio Maria Sanguinetti, complaining that the government's apparent lack of interest in supporting research was threatening to lead to the collapse of the science base.

Scientists argue that, since the restoration of democracy in Uruguay in 1985, the country has managed to develop relatively strong activity in science and technology, despite the small size of the scientific community (Uruguay spent only 0.15 per cent of its gross national product on research and development in 1995, compared to 0.9 per cent in Brazil).

But many fear that this achievement is now at risk as the government focuses on other funding priorities. They point out that the government has failed to produce a promised five-year plan for science and technology, even though its term of office only has one more year to run.

The recent protest was triggered by difficulties at the Instituto Clemente Estable, founded by a former pupil of the Spanish neuroanatomist Santiago Ramon y Cajal. The private institute, one of the leading biological research labs in South America, had been threatened with closure as a result of a decision by the Congress to block its public funding.

In their letter to Sanguinetti, seeking support for the institute, the scientists also pointed out that salaries for researchers in Uruguay are considerably lower than in neighbouring countries, such as Brazil and Argentina. Andres Lalane, the president of the science council CONYCYT, says poor living and working conditions are driving scientists abroad or into other careers.

It is partly to address this situation that the government has now agreed to set up a National Research Fund. This will be run by the president of the University of the Republic, the president of CONYCYT, and the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The future of CONYCYT itself, however, remains uncertain, despite demands from the scientists that its role should be more clearly defined. CONYCYT is the main agency for promoting science in Uruguay.

Since its creation 30 years ago, the organization has operated largely independently of the government, bringing together researchers from the public and private sectors. There are now fears that the government plans to reduce its autonomy and the transparency with which it operates.

Despite such concerns, Uruguayan scientists say they are optimistic that the new initiatives are hopeful signs that a more productive dialogue may be developing with the government.