Bill 182.

Summary.

The bill would authorize the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) to announce, award, and pay state-funded scholarships for higher education to train Panamanian professionals in science, technology, innovation, and fields that are priorities for the country's development. The SENACYT Scholarship Program would provide financial support to people selected on academic merit to pursue advanced or specialized studies according to the country's needs. Scholarships would be awarded through public calls for applications announced on the institution's website and through other widely used digital media available to it. Each announcement would identify the program and subprogram, eligible applicants, objectives, and fields of study, as well as the duration, maximum amounts, requirements, opening and closing dates, and additional information where applicable.

For each call, SENACYT would establish an External Evaluation Committee to review applications, interview applicants, and submit a ranked list of recommended candidates to the National Secretary for the award of funding. The committee would include representatives of the academic, government, and private sectors, from Panama or abroad, who meet the education and experience requirements set out in the bill. Its members would be required to act with transparency, equal treatment, impartiality, and confidentiality. Selection would consider academic and personal merit; the quality of the proposed institution and program; how the studies relate to the priorities of each call, the National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Government Strategic Plan; and the applicant's potential contribution to research or development in the field of study. The procedure would be detailed in the Program Regulations.

The National Secretary would sign the award letters and allocate funding subject to budget availability. The Program Regulations would set the amounts. SENACYT could award partial scholarships only if the call for applications provides for them. Each scholarship recipient would sign a Scholarship Agreement specifying, at a minimum, the amount, term, and studies; the parties' obligations; and accountability procedures. Funds would be disbursed in periodic installments under the agreement and regulations, through deposits to the recipient or delivery to the recipient's legal representative. Certain expenses could be paid directly to the educational institution if the agreement so provides. Changes during the term of the agreement would require exceptional justification and an addendum. Failure to meet the obligations would result in cancellation of the scholarship and full or proportional repayment of the funds disbursed.

Scholarship recipients would be required to return to Panama within 90 days after completing their studies, report to SENACYT, and demonstrate compliance with the scholarship conditions. Those who studied abroad would be required to reside in Panama for at least as long as they studied, measured from the date they report. The Placement Program would seek to bring them into the labor market in their field of specialization. Former scholarship recipients could request justified exceptions to immediate return or continued residence. If approved, they would make an express commitment to return and demonstrate their ties to the country. If their requests were denied and they decided not to return or remain, they would be required to repay all or a proportional share of the funds received.

SENACYT could enter into agreements with other state entities to provide higher education scholarships for public servants, subject to merit requirements. It would also publish on its website the recipient, amount, evaluation score, and studies for each scholarship awarded. Any citizen could request additional information and receive a response within no more than 30 business days. Breaches of the transparency provisions could be punished with administrative fines and, for repeat violations, disqualification from public office for up to 5 years. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would issue regulations under the law within 6 months of its entry into force. The bill would be relevant to state entities that award scholarships, the academic and private sectors, educational institutions, public servants, and people who apply for or receive scholarships.