The Colombian Caribbean goes after a million-dollar science project fund: $125 billion for biodiversity and bioeconomy
The resources aim to turn the region's natural potential into productive, environmental, and technological solutions. The deadline is July 31.
The Colombian Caribbean will have access to a fund of nearly $125 billion to finance science, technology, and innovation projects related to biodiversity, bioeconomy, and productive development, in one of the largest recent bets to turn the region's natural wealth into concrete solutions.
A opportunity for the Caribbean
In the case of the Caribbean, the call is especially important due to the diversity of its ecosystems and the challenges the region faces. It is home to coastal areas, wetlands, marshes, forests, dry areas, and territories under strong environmental and climate pressures.
Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca. Photo:Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca,
The projects may focus on sustainable use of biodiversity, development of bioproducts and bioservices, ecological restoration, climate risk management, circular economy, and strengthening scientific and technological capacities.
The scale of the fund also makes a difference. On average, each of the 48 projects could access resources close to $15 billion, depending on their scope, structuring, and financing conditions.
Andrés Marín, executive director of Connectnova, an innovation center recognized by Minciencias, considers that the call comes at a key moment for regions interested in driving knowledge-based projects.
"For years we have talked about biodiversity as one of Colombia's greatest competitive advantages, but rarely have resources of this magnitude been put on the table to turn it into concrete projects. This call represents an important opportunity for territories to consolidate initiatives that generate sustainable development," he said.
Alliances will be decisive
The call is open to actors across the country, but proposals must respond to specific needs and challenges of each region. In other words, it will not be enough to present a technically attractive initiative: it must demonstrate its real connection to the territory.
The AudacIA innovation center at Universidad Simón Bolívar. Photo:Leoherrera EL TIEMPO
According to the terms of reference, projects must be presented through alliances between actors of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation System and other strategic entities.
Furthermore, leadership must be headed by actors recognized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation or by higher education institutions with proven experience in executing science, technology, and innovation projects.
For the Caribbean, this requirement puts the spotlight on universities, research centers, environmental organizations, companies, and entities capable of building alliances around concrete problems.
The clock is ticking until July 31
Interested organizations may submit their proposals until July 31, 2026. Therefore, the coming weeks will be decisive for defining partners, adjusting budgets, and consolidating initiatives with real chances to compete for the resources.
Marín insisted that a novel idea, by itself, will not be enough to advance in the process.
"It is not enough to have a good idea; it will be necessary to demonstrate technical capacity, territorial relevance, strategic partners, and a clear path to generate the expected results of the call," Marín stated.
