The Colombian Association for the Advancement of Science, known as Avanciencia, has issued an official statement in response to a communication released on October 22 by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Minciencias). The ministry announced a review of an administrative agreement established between 2019 and 2025 with the private entity.
According to Avanciencia, the ministry”s text is “imprecise, contains inaccurate statements, and omits essential information regarding the nature of the contract, the execution of the project, and the ongoing liquidation process.” This statement, signed by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the association, aims to clarify what it perceives as a distortion of the facts.
Initially, Avanciencia emphasized that the project management contract No. 720 from 2019 aimed to “manage the projects of the Directorate of Mindset and Culture of Colciencias, focused on the social appropriation of science, dissemination of science, technology, and innovation (CTeI), and strengthening programs such as Young Researchers and Innovators and Ondas.” The initiative “Todo es Ciencia” is among the strategies linked to this contract, although the association clarifies that it “is not the exclusive focus of the contract.”
One of the key points of clarification pertains to the nature and status of the agreement. Avanciencia specified that the instrument signed with the ministry is not a convention, as the official statement suggests, but rather a project management contract, and that the financial figures mentioned in the ministry”s document “do not accurately correspond to the resources effectively managed.” Furthermore, the association stated that it was never notified about the contract”s suspension, as implied by the ministry.
“On the contrary, the contract concluded its validity on August 13, 2025, as contractually established, without being extended. Therefore, it is inappropriate to assert that the contract is suspended, as it is currently in the liquidation process in accordance with legal procedures and terms,” emphasized the statement.
Avanciencia also highlighted that it has not received any official observations regarding alleged irregularities in the execution of “Todo es Ciencia,” and that all payments made during the contract”s execution were approved according to the manuals and processes agreed upon with Minciencias. “The dissatisfaction mentioned in the statement regarding the approval of payment orders is not understood,” representatives from the association indicated.
The association expressed regret that the ministry chose to release a public statement “against a civil society association that, for over five decades, has decisively supported the Colombian state in managing strategic science, technology, and innovation projects.” In its institutional defense, Avanciencia recalled its role in promoting scientific culture and dialogue between science, politics, and society. “We have built a reputation in the sector based on technical rigor and transparency,” asserted the Board of Directors.
The organization noted that it has led initiatives such as Expociencia, Maloka, the magazine Innovación y Ciencia, and the Political-Science Interface Convention, which are regarded as pillars in the country”s scientific dissemination efforts. Ultimately, Avanciencia expressed its willingness to collaborate with the ministry to complete the liquidation process of the contract. “We hope to have the goodwill of the current administration to advance in the liquidation by mutual agreement and reiterate our commitment to continue supporting the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation in executing its projects, in accordance with current legislation and for the benefit of strengthening the National System of CTeI.”
In closing, Avanciencia reiterated its openness to dialogue and rejected messages that, according to its leaders, “affect the reputation of an entity that does not receive state contributions or support from benefactors, and whose work has been a reference in strengthening Colombian science.”
