Argentine Sectoral Fund (FONARSEC)

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How does the program work?

Creates a direct linkage between the academic and productive sectors by sponsoring internship and training programs and funding technological development in target areas.

Monitoring + Evaluation Methods

FONARSEC’s metrics are qualitative rather than quantitative. The policy aims to promote spaces within the Argentinean economy for scientific and technological growth. It offers resources for universities, students, and emerging entrepreners who hope to take advantage of innovative breakthroughs.

What impact has been measured?

As of 2014, ARS 834,763,180 had been used to fund 81 projects focused on new business growth and innovative research. (Attachments 1 and 2 provide links to documents which highlight specific success stories)

What lessons can be learned?

Interestingly, the evaluation committee that decides when to allocate funds is made up of foreign citizens. Only the coordinator of FONARSEC is Argentinean. This may act as a safeguard against nepotism and bring a wider perspective to the fund’s resource distribution.

Notes + Additional Context

FONARSEC’s program can be broken down into multiple instruments. GTEC offered select universities the opportunity to establish a Masters-level management training program with a focus on innovation. Graduates were eligible to apply for subsidized internship placements at business hubs abroad. PRIETEC funded research infrastructure investment at universities active in qualifying sectors. FTIR focused on developing research capacity outside of specific urban centers. Empretecno is the main funding arm for private enterprise. Empretecno-FFP (Project Flow Facilitators) are organizations that guide emerging ventures through the application process for Empretecno-EBT (Technology-Based Company) grants. These amount to a maximum of ARS 2,500,000 at no more than 75% of total project costs.

  1. ANPCyT’s report on the innovative spaces in which FONARSEC operates is available here. (English & Spanish)
  2. A report on all of ANPCyT’s Sector Funds is available here. (English & Spanish) Both of these contain success stories of individual beneficiaries and snapshots of innovative businesses that have been created as a result of FONARSEC’s funding.
  3. GTEC Webpage, Instrument Basis
  4. PRIETEC Webpage, Instrument Basis
  5. FTIR Webpage, Instrument Basis
  6. Empretecno-FFP Webpage, Instrument Basis
  7. Empretecno-EBT Webpage, Instrument Basis

CURATED BY

Sarolta Borzasi

Director for Government + Investor Engagement
Embassy of Hungary London
United States