Bill 722.

Summary.

The bill establishes a framework for granting and retaining the designation of Laboratory of National Interest for public interest associations engaged in scientific research, technological development and innovation. The designation recognizes their excellence, performance and contribution to matters of national interest, and gives them access to the proposed benefits. The National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovación, SENACYT) would coordinate public, merit-based calls for applications. Applicants would have to prove their recognition as public interest associations, submit a five-year strategic plan and a human resources management plan, cooperate with national universities, including at least one public university, and meet the required proportions of research personnel and members of the National Research System. They would also have to document their results and the appointment of their director through an international competition.

International external peer reviewers would carry out the initial assessment under SENACYT’s coordination. The National Commission on Science, Technology and Innovation (Comisión Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología, e Innovación, CONACYT) could grant or reject the designation, or make it conditional on improvements and a further assessment. SENACYT would coordinate compliance assessments every three years, after which CONACYT would decide whether to retain or withdraw the designation, or retain it subject to recommendations. Assessments, decisions and annual reports would be public. The reports would cover scientific results, training, national relevance, competency comparisons and audited financial statements. SENACYT would monitor designated associations and report periodically to the Interministerial Council on Science, Technology and Innovation (Consejo Interministerial de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, CICYT), CONACYT and its own Board of Directors. Associations would also publish their research publications, innovation outputs, personnel, equipment and infrastructure available to others. They would have to show that 75% of public funds is used for research and technological development and that the remaining 25% is used for related, justified activities.

The selection and retention of research personnel would be based primarily on merit, assessed through scientific, technological and training outcomes, among other criteria. Each designated association would maintain a merit recognition program, competitive pay, annual staff evaluations and accountability to its Board of Directors. It would also allocate resources for domestic and international staff mobility, linking support to its purposes and staff performance.

Regarding benefits, CICYT would recommend funding measures during preparation of the State’s general budget. SENACYT and other public institutions would establish incentives based on performance; the relevant budget would form part of SENACYT’s investment budget, while funds could also come through public or private institutions, subject to the required approvals. Associations could assist with the annual presentation of their budgets before CICYT and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas). Their directors would submit annual performance reports; associations would conduct competency comparisons with international institutions every three years, publish technical reports on the national situation at least every two years, and train personnel. They would facilitate reasonable use of their equipment and infrastructure by external researchers, with nonprofit charges tied to costs, and could arrange scientific collaborations under their operating rules. They would also support research groups and higher education institutions, especially public ones.

CONACYT could withdraw the designation through a reasoned decision based on insufficient performance. Revocation of an association’s legal personality by the Ministry of Government (Ministerio de Gobierno) would automatically withdraw its designation; the bill provides for information sharing between that ministry and SENACYT and refers to Articles 21 and 22 of Law 39 of 2018. SENACYT would publish an application and assessment guide approved by CONACYT. The proposal concerns the Republic of Panama, its science and budget authorities, universities, researchers and public interest associations involved in research and innovation.