Earlier this month, the Chilean government approved plans to create a federal science ministry. Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are the only countries in the Latin American region that have science ministries, and Chilean scientists hope that their government’s decision will inspire other Latin American countries to establish ministries as well.

In 2014, R&D expenditures accounted for 0.38% of Chile’s GDP, which is the same as Uruguay but below Argentina and Brazil, which spent 0.59% and 1.17% on GDP in 2014, respectively. Chile’s economy is heavily dependent on exporting natural resources such as copper, but due to unsustainability, the government is looking to focus on “knowledge and creativity” by driving funding for science, technology and education.

Currently, the majority of Chile’s science funding is overseen by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT), part of the Ministry of Education. CONICYT had a budget of CLP 328 billion ($520 million) in 2017, and the monies are split into various funds in many ministries. According to the new law, CONICYT will be replaced by a National Agency for Research and Development, with eight external advisors serving as counselors to the government regarding the allocation of science funding.

Source: Science