The Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, announced in the Chamber of Deputies that the budget for the upcoming call for the Centers of Excellence in Severo Ochoa and the Maria de Maezto units will increase by 12.5% compared to the previous year, to reach €60.75 million.
Morant stated that this investment strengthens the core funding of our country’s centers of research excellence and represents a 50% increase compared to 2017.
These centers of excellence will have a margin of up to 25% for indirect costs, from 4 million to 4.5 million euros in four years for accredited centers such as Severo Ochoa and from 2 to 2.25 million euros for Maria de Maeztu units.
In addition, for the first time, pre-doctoral contracts associated with each center and unit will be awarded at the same time as accreditation, for which an additional €12 million will be allocated.
The minister indicated that this government decided to save the flag from the historical fragility it suffered in our country. “Privilege without rights is nothing more than another form of exploitation, and as such, we will continue to transcend it with the practice of the Government of Spain and with the political forces that want to accompany us,” he said.
Pilot project for a new funding system for research groups
Morant also confirmed that the Ministry of Science and Innovation is in the process of launching a pilot project for a new system for financing research groups, which will be granted 30 million euros from the national budget.
“We will deliver on our commitment to improve the core funding system, which represents a paradigm shift from only project funding to one that also considers the core contributions of research groups based on their findings,” Morant said.
The Minister also stated that, taking advantage of the formula already underway in the supplementary plans, the CCAA will be invited not only to express an opinion and vote, but also to share the responsibility in the investment, so that this pilot project can receive financing of up to 60 million euros in this first year .
