Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Mexico)


Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología is Mexico's entity in charge of the promotion of scientific and technological activities, setting government policies for these matters, and granting scholarships for postgraduate studies. It is the equivalent of the US's National Science Foundation and Argentina's CONICET. It is officially designated as a decentralized public agency of Mexico's federal government. CONACYT was founded in 1970.

Programs

CONACYT grants scholarships for graduate studies in Mexico for programs that have been recognized by CONACYT in the Registry of Quality Graduate Programs. CONACYT also grants scholarships for Mexican nationals to pursue graduate studies in foreign countries. CONACYT also provides funding for postdoctoral positions and sabbatical leaves.
CONACYT also administers the National System of Researchers, a national network promoting high quality scientific research. Membership to the system and the level assigned dependents on scientific productivity and is evaluated by peer committees. Members of SNI, both Mexican and foreign, receive a monthly stipend directly from CONACYT only if they work in institutions or universities located in Mexico. The specific amount of the monetary stipend increases depending on the membership level. Mexican nationals working full time on research-related activities but ascribed to institutions located outside Mexico are eligible for membership but not for the stipend. In these cases, the appointment is considered a distinction.

Research Centers

CONACYT also manages programs to encourage industry and private sector involvement in science and technology R&D, through the to offer financing to technical and technological development projects.
CONACYT also manages 27 public research centers, located in several parts of Mexico and dedicated usually to a narrow field of science.
The head of CONACYT is appointed directly by the President of Mexico. Since CONACYT was founded it has been led by:
CONACYT has it own press agency to covert topics of science and technology in Mexico.

Controversies

In 2006 the director of CONACYT named new general directors of two Public Research Centers. This was criticized, because it was seen as the director overstepping his authority and even violating the Constitution as it denied the autonomous nature granted to Mexican CPIs.