The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Diana Morant, announced today a significant investment of 80 million euros aimed at attracting and consolidating scientific talent in Spain. The announcement was made during a meeting at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid with six researchers benefiting from the ATRAE and Consolidation Research calls.
Morant emphasized that these calls are “success stories” that aim to “make Spain a country that knows how to take care of scientists, incorporate them into the science system, and provide them with stability.” The minister stressed that the new editions of these programs will be funded with national budget, ensuring the continuity of investment in science beyond the funds of the Recovery Plan. “We are committed to increasing investment in science to allocate 3% of GDP in 2023, with public and private financing,” she said.
New Consolidation Research call with 50 million euros
The Government will authorize a budget allocation of 50 million euros for the third edition of the Consolidation Research call. This program aims to consolidate the careers of 250 researchers, both national and foreign, in institutions of the Spanish R&D&I system. In the two previous editions, coordinated by the State Research Agency (AEI), nearly 169 million euros were granted, benefiting 842 researchers from 34 different nationalities, of which 731 were Spanish and 111 were foreign.
Second edition of the ATRAE program with 30 million euros
Morant also announced that 30 million euros will be allocated for the second edition of the ATRAE program, also coordinated by the AEI. This program aims to attract 30 world-leading scientists to Spain who have recently developed their work abroad. In its first edition, ATRAE managed to incorporate 30 researchers of international excellence, with a balance between Spanish and foreign scientists.
Each selected researcher will receive a contract lasting three to four years, with a commitment to stabilization by the host institution. In addition, they will have a grant of up to one million euros to develop their research line in Spain, purchase equipment, hire staff, and cover their salary.
Morant highlighted the importance of these initiatives for the return and attraction of talent: “We are managing to bring back the talent that left us and attract foreign talent that sees our country as an attractive place to do science.”
This investment reflects the commitment of the Spanish Government to science and innovation, and its goal of consolidating the country as a benchmark in scientific research at the international level.