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Like every year, Fecyt publishes the call for aid to promote scientific, technological and innovation culture. A boost to participatory processes in science and a key catalyst for scientific, technological and innovation dissemination carried out in Spain.
Next November 22nd will be 10 years since the death of biologist Lynn Margulis, one of the most influential scientists in history. Known before her marriage by her given name Lynn Petra Alexander, it was she who proposed the endosymbiotic theory, a revolutionary proposal that affirms that the origin of eukaryotic cells (those that have a differentiated nucleus, unlike archaea and bacteria that are prokaryotes) is based on association and collaboration (symbiogenesis) with other organisms.
This bet on Symbiogenesis as a mechanism of evolution changed the paradigm of biology in the seventies and, to this day, these theories are still considered valid.. Like any proposal for change, it was difficult to accept, and his theory was rejected by several scientific journals until it was published in 1967. In fact, according to 'The Telegraph', Lynn was denied many projects because they were considered 'garbage' and They even asked him not to bother applying for them again.
This example serves to show how Collaboration and financing are two of the basic gears that make science work. And that is why they are two of the pillars that support the efforts of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).
At FECYT we work to strengthen the link between science and society through actions that promote open and inclusive science, scientific culture and education. I want to highlight the Call for aid to promote scientific, technological and innovation culture with which, since 2007, FECYT has collaborated through project aid whose objectives are to increase the scientific and technological culture of society, the dissemination of research results and innovation financed with public funds, citizen participation in research activities, the improvement of scientific-technical education of society in all levels, and the professionalization of scientific communication.
In the last ten editions, FECYT has allocated nearly 35.000.000 euros to finance more than 2.000 projects through the different lines of action of the call.
Since 2018, the third line serves to support citizen science actions, understood as research carried out in part or in whole by people who are not professionally dedicated to science, through activities that may be, among others, data collection or data analysis.
The involvement of society in research, development and innovation activities is part of the framework of a democratic society, and It is in citizen science activities that a more direct involvement occurs, highlighting the mutual benefit that, as a symbiosis, is established. In Spain, these types of actions are in good health, as indicated by the results of the EU-Citizen.Science project in which we collaborate together with the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Ibercivis Foundation. Another fact that makes us see and map this situation are the figures for the aid call. In 2018, the citizen science line received 67 applications from all over the country and 18 projects were financed with a total of 300.000 euros. Since then, Another 114 applications have been received and 43 grants have been granted, which represents a total of 660.000 euros of investment in citizen science by the Public Administration.
Last October we published the new call for 2021 aid where we will allocate 360.000 euros to citizen science activities. All information about the call, as well as the platform enabled for project requests, can be found at the following link.
We want to invite all public research centers, universities, companies and foundations to participate in this call. “Life is a symbiotic and cooperative union that allows those who associate to succeed”said Lynn Margulis. Partnership, collaboration and financing. In this way we will be able to ensure a promising future for the Spanish system of science, technology and innovation.
Imma Aguilar General Director of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)
This section is made in collaboration with the Citizen Science Observatory in Spain, coordinated by the Ibercivis Foundation
