Argentine researchers seek scholarship extensions amid career uncertainty

Débora Décima, a social scientist from Tucumán, finds herself overqualified for many jobs yet lacking private sector experience. She is among 375 postdoctoral researchers in Argentina whose scholarships are set to expire soon, leaving them in limbo as they await the results of a highly competitive application for the Scientific and Technological Research Career (CICyT).

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I am overqualified for many jobs, but at the same time I don't have experience in the private sector.

The Conicet, Argentina's national scientific research council, had previously announced 800 positions but ultimately offered only 400. For two years, no new application window was opened. Décima and others like her relied on postdoctoral scholarships to remain in the scientific field while waiting for the CICyT call to reopen, which finally happened late last year.

Now, with their scholarships expiring imminently and CICyT results potentially months or even years away, these researchers are facing a career crisis. They, along with members of the ATE-Conicet union, are petitioning for an extension of their scholarships until the application results are published. This was a common practice in the past, according to Federico Lindenboim, a 45-year-old doctor in Social Sciences.

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All of us had doctoral scholarships. After that, we applied for a postdoctoral scholarship, they accepted us, and we spent three years researching. The Researcher Career is the last step before entering the staff of researchers.

However, Conicet authorities have recently stated that such extensions will not be possible, citing budget limitations. Lindenboim recounted being told by a board member to seek other employment. The researchers fear this situation could derail their academic careers, forcing them to switch professions or even consider leaving Argentina.

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I asked about scholarship extensions, which is something that used to happen, because these things always take time. They told me there would be no extension. A board member told us to go find another job.