Government warned of risk of research spending cut

The academia has sent an open letter to the President, the Speaker and Prime Minister warning them of the threats of a 50 million lei cut to spending on research and innovation next year. “While we fully understand the notion of an austere budget, this can only be regarded as a hasty and injudicious decision, whose serious consequences will have a negative impact on the development of both science and the country as a whole”, reads the letter. The cut involves the closure of at least seven research institutions and the lay-off of over 500 researchers, including 250 young researchers. “It is with deep regret that we remark that science has not been duly appreciated lately in our country, being considered as a consumer and a burden for the state budget. Hadn't it been so, Parliament would have never allowed this cut to research financing, allocating this money for other purposes. In these difficult times, the pillar of intellectuality, which is as pivotal as ever, is not valued and supported”. The letter is signed by nearly 60 academicians and researchers, including Gheorghe Duca, Ion Ababii, Mihai Cimpoi, Eugen Doga, Dumitru Matcovschi, Gheorghe Rusnac, Grigore Belostecinic, Valeriu Pasat and others.