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Analysis of the National Science Budget from 2012 to 2025

Writer's picture: Emiliano TeránEmiliano Terán


Recently, national media have highlighted the low budget allocated to the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation—a topic that warrants reflection and debate in both local and national scientific spheres. To better understand these changes, it is essential to analyze not only year-to-year fluctuations but also the trends over at least the past decade. This historical perspective is crucial for a fair assessment of the impact of current scientific policies.

Our responsibility as academics extends beyond generating knowledge or training human resources. It also includes monitoring current scientific policies, critically evaluating their successes and potential shortcomings. We must highlight the negative impact that inefficient use of public resources can have on the advancement of science while recognizing the achievements that these policies have delivered.

Drawing from the Diario Oficial de la Federación (2023–2025) and the Public Account of CONAHCyT (2012–2022), we analyze the total funding, including central expenditures (such as postgraduate scholarships and the National System of Researchers (SNII), among others) and research centers. Based on this data, we applied a linear regression model to calculate the average annual increase, obtained by dividing the model's slope by the arithmetic mean of the dependent variable values and multiplying the result by one hundred.



Figure. Total funding allocated to Science and Technology (A), broken down into postgraduate scholarships and the National System of Researchers (B), and resources allocated to public research centers (C).
Figure. Total funding allocated to Science and Technology (A), broken down into postgraduate scholarships and the National System of Researchers (B), and resources allocated to public research centers (C).

The annual budget allocated to Science, Technology, and Innovation shows two distinct phases. From 2012 to 2016, there was an average annual increase of 13 percent (t = 5.9, R² = 0.94, p = 0.027), followed by a 6 percent annual growth from 2017 to 2025 (t = 3.7, R² = 0.70, p = 0.009). Between 2024 and 2025, the increase was merely 0.3 percent, far below the inflation rate of 3.5 percent, representing a real-term reduction.

Similarly, spending on scholarships for students and members of the National System of Researchers (SNII) has grown consistently at an average linear rate of 9 percent annually since 2012 (t = 14.9, R² = 0.95, p < 0.0001). However, between 2024 and 2025, the increase in central spending (which includes scholarships) was just 2.4 percent, almost four times lower than the annual average of the past 13 years.

Additionally, spending on research centers mirrors the total expenditure trend, with two clear phases: from 2012 to 2016, a linear annual growth of 7 percent on average (t = 3.3, R² = 0.78, p = 0.04), followed by a 4 percent annual increase from 2017 to 2025 (t = 6.2, R² = 0.86, p < 0.001). Moreover, between 2024 and 2025, this category experienced a 7 percent reduction.

An analysis of the funding allocated this year, compared to trends from the past 13 years, highlights a concerning decline in the budget growth for science and technology in Mexico. While the ideal would be to reach 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as recommended by the United Nations, the current allocation is just 0.18 percent. At a minimum, an annual increase equal to the inflation rate should be established.

It is important to demand at least an increment matching the annual inflation rate of 3.5 percent to prevent the budget from losing its real value, ensuring the sustained development of the scientific sector. Maintaining this minimum increase will help avoid setbacks and support the continued growth of a scientific environment that benefits both researchers and society.

In Sinaloa, we must acknowledge the state government’s support for science through the Coordinación General para el Fomento a la Investigación Científica e Innovación del Estado de Sinaloa (CONFIE), led by Dr. Carlos Káram Quiñonez. This organization has been instrumental in advancing scientific development in the state, offering support to students, researchers, and technologists.

Thanks to CONFIE's extensive catalog of calls and funding opportunities (https://confie.gob.mx), science in Sinaloa has continued to grow. We hope that in 2025, this commitment to the state’s scientific community will be further strengthened.

As scientists, our responsibility goes beyond generating knowledge: we must ensure that scientific policies in Mexico are optimized to drive scientific production for societal benefit. This requires being both critical and constructive—not only to advance science but also to contribute to collective well-being. We trust that the authorities will address academic demands and reinforce the necessary support.

 

Emiliano Terán Bobadilla

 

 

 

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