Spain launches first ever science funding agency

BUDDING Albert Einsteins are rejoicing, as Spain launches its first ever science funding agency.

The State Research Agency will assess scientific proposals over the next 12-15 months and will begin distributing grants from 2017.

While the head of Spain’s Scientific Society, Carlos Andradas Heranz, said the announcement is ‘good news’, he is urging caution.

“What remains to be seen is how much funding will be made available,” the Complutense University of Madrid mathematician said. “No doubt this is a step in the right direction, but it could simply be a political operation.”