The plenary of Congress will approve this Thursday the new Science and Technology Lawwhich includes new measures aimed at optimize the research career, retain and attract talent and accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge to benefit society.
During the four months of proceedings in Congress, the project incorporated some changes in the text sent by the Government; such as those referring to research work in a hospital environment, which emphasize the important work carried out in these centers in which, in addition to numerous clinical trials, many aspects of physiology and disease are investigated.
Objectives of the new law
The law intends that scientific knowledge guides the measures that must be implemented to address some of the major challenges, such as climate change, the ecological and energy transition, digitization or the demographic challenge.
The changes proposed by the Government highlight deficiencies related to the career and professional development of research staff, the need to improve knowledge transfer and research activity resultsin reducing the bureaucratic burden of research and in strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.
To achieve these goals, the law includes a new type of contract for an indefinite period for research, technical and management personnel, and the commitment to increase public R&D&I funding until it converges with Europe, for which a public investment of 1.25% of GDP per year is set as the 2030 objective (now it is at 0 .58%).
The reluctance of some groups
Despite broad political consensus, several learned societies (the National Association of Hospital ResearchersThe Association for the Study of Reproductive BiologyThe Spanish Association for Cancer Research nod ECO Foundation for Excellence) requested a thorough revision of the text or its withdrawal.
O Federation of Citizenship Services of Workers’ Commissions criticized that most of the amendments presented to improve the working conditions of researchers were rejected and called today a rally in front of Congress to coincide with the vote on the project in plenary.