Public funds for nanotechnology research in Mexico and the change in paradigm of the STI policy/Fondos publicos para la investigacion en nanotecnologias en Mexico y el cambio de paradigma de la politica de CTI/Fundos publicos para a investigacao em nanotecnologias no Mexico e a mudanca de paradigma da politica de CTI

The governance of nanotechnologies (NT) comprises several aspects, from the funding of research activities to the evaluation and regulation of its applications. This paper analyzes NT governance in Mexico from the specific aspect of public funding for research, development and innovation activities. The study utilizes data about the support given by the National Council of Science and Technology to research in NT during the period 2002-2011. The analytical framework of science policy paradigms developed by Ruivo and by Casas and Dettmer is used to study the Mexican case. Thus, it is considered that the changes in the orientation of the national S&T policy in the last years has tended to the consolidation of the paradigm of science as a source of strategic opportunity, which is evidenced by: i) important changes in the distribution of the funds, where somewhat over 50% was given to projects of oriented research and innovation; ii) switch in the fund allocation from the academic to the entrepreneurial sector; iii) creation of elements of this paradigm such as research networks, technological parks, stimuli to innovation, strategic areas; and iv) incorporation of new actors in the generation of knowledge. The paper also presents findings about the conformation of a geographical axis of NT development and concludes with a reflection on its governance deficit in Mexico.