Science Ministry presents new National Research and Development Agency (ANID)
The new agency, the successor to CONICYT, will implement initiatives designed to promote research, technological development and scientific-technological innovation in accordance with the policies set out by the Science Ministry.
This is one of the most important milestones in the development of Chile’s new scientific and technological institutional structure. CONICYT, the institution that has been responsible for promoting science and technology for over 52 years, is becoming the National Research and Development Agency (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, ANID). This entity will reinterpret and enrich its predecessor’s work with a lighter, more efficient structure focused on serving the community.
The launch took place in front of the institutional building located in the civic center of Santiago. The ceremony was open to the public and featured the presence of Science Minister Andrés Couve, Science Undersecretary Carolina Torrealba, ANID National Director Aisén Etcheverry, the Science Regional Ministers, recipients of National Prizes, members of Congress, rectors and vice rectors from various universities, former CONICYT officials, many stakeholders from the country’s science and technology system, industry representatives and people who will form part of the agency in the future.
“We are ushering in a new stage of research that coincides with a moment of profound reflection about Chile’s future in regard to social and environmental topics in which science must be a key actor. We have made every effort to recognize the context and to include it in a vision in which science, technology, knowledge and innovation are agents of change that allow Chile to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development (…). It is key to have an independent agency that executes a strategic vision. This entity should be intelligent, flexible and should simplify processes. We want to use this opportunity to build a user-friendly agency that helps us to connect the creation of knowledge with the benefits that its application can have for people,” Science Minister Andrés Couve remarked.
One of the new aspects of this transition is the incorporation into the agency of the Millennium Scientific Initiative (Iniciativa Científica Milenio), which has promoted the creation of research institutes of excellence and nuclei, making significant contributions to national development. This shift will add diversity and richness to the research center network that the new institution will house.
Science Undersecretary Carolina Torrealba stated, “this new institutional structure seeks to build a wider and more diverse road that is more committed and connected to society, fairer and more egalitarian. We will thus focus on three major inequities in our system: gender, regions outside of Santiago, and the creation of fairer working conditions.”
The undersecretary noted that these initiatives will soon include the presentation of a Gender Equity Agenda for the scientific system. “We must protect every measure within our grasp to recognize this historic inequity and ensure that the system allows men and women to use all of their skills and abilities,” she said.
The National Research and Development Agency has identified major challenges such as safeguarding CONICYT’s legacy in a way that aligns with the country’s current needs. This will be achieved through the implementation of five strategic areas: training advanced human capital; associative research; individual research; highlighting knowledge and creating strategic networks; and applied research. Each of these will be promoted by a directorate responsible for guiding the experience and capacities of the various teams that formed part of the previous structure and the new members who join them.
“Many challenges lie ahead, including greater participation, increased coordination and more integration. We will address the inequities in the system and will approach new audiences. We are becoming the National Research and Development Agency and, as such, we must involve industry, society in general, and the public. We must use the knowledge that is created here to contribute to Chile’s social, political and economic development,” explained National Director Aisén Etcheverry.