Nature:
The Spanish government, led by prime minister Mariano Rajoy,
has proposed to increase science funding—for the first
time in five years—by 6.1% in 2014. The modest
increase comes after
protests
and an open letter by Spanish scientists denouncing the
government’s heavy cuts in science spending. However,
half of the €6.139 billion ($8.31 billion) research
budget for the coming year is to be awarded as loans.
Scientists have complained that because much of the loan money
tends to go unused, the actual amount spent on R&D ends up
being less than indicated. The budget now awaits approval by
parliament and the senate.
