In the context of the recent approval of the draft of the General State Budgets, which announces an investment of more than five billion euros
The main scientific associations and innovative companies are making a joint call to place R&D&I at the heart of the country’s strategy
- The signatories demand a State Pact that includes long-term strategies aimed at promoting frontier science and business innovation.
- The document aims to add and provide strategic solutions to the recent Pact for Science and Innovation that the Government has just announced.
SOMMa, ASEICA, and AseBio, entities that group together nearly ten thousand researchers from the public and private sector, dozens of research centers, and close to 300 leading Spanish companies in the biotechnology sector, unite their voices to urge political leaders to transform the country. More than 40 organizations in the field of science and innovation, including BIOVEGEN, sign a document that calls for, among other measures, exceeding 2.5% investment in R&D&I by the year 2027 to achieve a structural change in the economic model.
Before yesterday’s approval of the draft of the new general state budgets and the opportunities presented by the Reconstruction Plan, the “Green Deal,” and the missions of the new Horizon Europe Framework Program of the European Union, the signatories believe that it is time to place R&D at the center of the future strategy for a sustainable and resilient recovery of Spain. In addition, the public has recently recognized the need for a solid research capacity to tackle the challenges we are facing. In contrast, currently Spain invests only 1.24% of its GDP in R&D, a figure much lower than the EU average (2.12%) and even further from countries like Germany, Denmark, or Austria (around 3%).
The document proposes administrative and legal changes, as well as the implementation of strategic actions so that science and innovation become the engines of our country’s recovery. Transforming the economic model would help counterbalance the dependency on sectors severely affected by the current pandemic and would provide Spain with new opportunities and a stronger position for the future. Realizing Spain’s great potential in R&D would lay the foundations for a solid recovery through a sustainable, competitive, and high value-added economic model.
“The current context has starkly exposed the shortcomings of our economic model. Spain is projected to be the hardest hit among advanced economies, making it imperative to firmly commit to a model change in the face of economic reconstruction. This is a turning point where we cannot give up, making it essential to invest in a model that ensures Spain’s future and relevance. Taking urgent measures by leveraging the general state budgets is the minimum to start. At the same time, a state pact for R&D&I is necessary, now more than ever.”
Luis Serrano, president of SOMMa and director of the Genomic Regulation Center
“Covid-19 has highlighted what we have long been warning about: the urgent need to invest in science and innovation to ensure the health of our citizens and to develop an economy based on knowledge and not mere entertainment. It is time to take the bull by the horns: we need stable long-term plans and short-term solutions to face these challenges. Let’s say it once more: research is not a luxury; it is the only way we have to ensure the health and quality of life of our fellow citizens. And this does not depend on ideologies; it is a cross-cutting national project.”.
Xosé Bustelo, president of ASEICA.
“This call to our political representatives, the administration, and society itself is nothing more than a joint demand for a long-term strategy that promotes science and innovation in our country and places it at the heart of its strategy. Innovative companies and entities are committed to this effort if we have an adequate and stable framework that allows us to work collaboratively with the other agents of the R&D&I ecosystem and thus contribute to the transformation of our productive model.”
Ion Arocena, general director of AseBio.
The call led by SOMMa, ASEICA, and AseBio proposes three pillars of measures, the first of which focuses on strengthening frontier basic and translational science. It addresses aspects such as simplifying expense management and associated bureaucracy, increasing and optimizing investment, new talent acquisition programs, and mechanisms that favor the stability of research projects promoted by public bodies.
The second pillar proposes measures to strengthen innovation and drive the transition to a sustainable, high-value-added economy. It suggests enhancing public-private cooperation and the innovative business fabric, as well as creating a sponsorship law. There is also a need to undertake a profound reform of the model of aid for business R&D&I and a legal framework that minimizes uncertainties and provides stability and security to the R&D&I system.
Linking the previous elements, the third axis focuses on mechanisms to increase synergies between the academic and business sectors. To achieve this, developing a long-term national strategy that includes autonomous communities is considered essential, enhancing the capacity to translate knowledge from universities and research institutes into innovative solutions, and creating new technology-based companies. Finally, the signatories urge cultivating the value of science as a reference for citizenship, the business fabric, and political action.
