Por Redaccion The initial actions will involve the establishment this year of a registry of the scientific and technological system and the establishment of the Innovation Observatory.
The Government of Asturias has convened today more than a hundred representatives from R&D&I centers, research groups and institutes, companies, institutions, social agents, and political representatives to advance in the implementation of the Law of Science, Technology, and Innovation. The creation of a registry with the entities that are part of the Asturian scientific and technological ecosystem and the establishment of the Innovation Observatory will be the first steps in the implementation of the regulation.
The Minister of Science, Industry, and Employment, Borja Sánchez, presented the main novelties of the law, which came into force on April 12. It is a "transformative" regulation that will shape the future of the Principality and redefine the legal framework of the Asturian System of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SACI). The new legislation proposes an increase in funding, strengthening collaboration between the public sector and the private sector, the research career as a key element to attract talent, and support for excellence in R&D&I.
Sánchez highlighted that the law secures funding for Asturian R&D&I for the coming years and extends the validity of aid and talent attraction programs from five to seven years, to align with Europe and strengthen the growth of the regional scientific and technological system. The goal is to gradually increase investment in research and innovation to reach €1.075 billion annually in 2030, from both public and private sources, representing 3% of the regional GDP.
One of the initial steps will be the creation of a registry to integrate and coordinate the R&D&I system. The Asturian System of Science, Technology, and Innovation Registry (Resaci) will operate as a tool for identification, coordination, and monitoring of all public and private agents that are part of the system. Being registered in this registry will be a necessary requirement to access various funding, recognition, and collaboration initiatives promoted by the regional government.
Furthermore, the registry will facilitate better strategic planning, with consolidated data on capacities, infrastructures, research talent, and work areas in the region. The goal is for it to be operational this year.
Innovation Observatory
Another key feature of the law is the Asturian Innovation Observatory, a technical body that will serve as a tool for information and evaluation of the scientific and technological ecosystem. Its mission will be to collect, analyze, and disseminate data on the development of science and innovation in Asturias, including gender equality indicators, return on public investment, and participation in national and international programs.
The observatory will also produce strategic reports and serve to unify data sources and have updated and accredited information that can guide R&D&I policies. Science is working, hand in hand with the Foundation for the Promotion of Scientific Research and Technology in Asturias (Ficyt), to launch this body.
The new regulation also incorporates the concept of controlled technology testing environments or sandboxes, which will allow companies, startups, universities, or technology centers to test innovative products, services, or models in a regulated and supervised framework. This tool aims to accelerate the transfer of knowledge from the scientific field to productive sectors and promote public-private collaboration. One of the initial actions in this context will be to analyze the sectors and areas where these testing environments can be implemented. An example of a sandbox could be dual technology in the defense sector or the aerospace industry, where Asturias aims to position itself.
Commitment to Talent, Equality, and Open Science
The law also includes specific measures for the retention and attraction of research talent, the promotion of effective gender equality in the scientific and technological field, and the promotion of open science as a cross-cutting principle.
In this regard, it recognizes the fundamental role of universities, technology centers, and companies as drivers of change and encourages the participation of civil society in innovation processes.
One of the key points of the new law is the creation of a Superior Research Body, following the model of the CSIC, so that the Principality can have research personnel within the regional government. The law includes three scales: research professor, researcher, and principal scientist.
With this legislation, Asturias aims to strengthen its sustainable development model based on knowledge and aligned with European objectives of ecological, digital, and fair social transition.
The event was attended by representatives from all Asturian R&D&I centers, both public and private, innovative companies, startups, and spin-offs, as well as research personnel, social agents, and members of parliamentary groups.
In addition to the presentation of the regulation, the Deputy Minister of Science, Iván Aitor Lucas, moderated a roundtable on the effects of the Science Law in all sectors of Asturian R&D&I, with the participation of the director of Ficyt, Mercedes Díaz; the Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Oviedo, Irene Díaz; the representative of business R&D&I centers Patricia López and Andrea Acebes, responsible for the innovative company Plabite.
With audio from Minister Borja Sánchez.