Mexico’s new president, Enrique Peña, who was elected last year, has pledged to expand the country’s investment in science. This month, the government voted to increase its science budget by 12% to $6.3 billion. The budget for the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) will increase 20%. In addition, CONACYT aims to establish 500 new positions for young researchers. Mr. Peña’s goal is to grow the country’s private and public R&D and technology spending over six years to a minimum of 1% of GDP, versus a current level of 0.4% of GDP. The president also created a scientific policy office within the executive branch, and science was included in the country’s development plan for 2013–18. Three bills pending in Congress aim to promote scientific research. One bill will reform intellectual property law, allowing researchers and universities to commercialize inventions resulting from research that was publicly funded. A second bill will reform the pension system, potentially leading to a higher retirement rate for researchers and more job openings. A third bill will create tax incentives for business R&D.

Source: Nature