Introduction
The federal government has allocated a total budget of 37,360 million pesos for Ramo 38 (Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation) for the 2026 fiscal year. However, while the new central bureaucratic structure is experiencing significant expansion with substantial resources, research centers generating knowledge are operating under a survival and minimal growth logic.
Key Budget Allocation Details
The most relevant detail of the 2026 budget is the allocation of an additional 2,500 million pesos following negotiations in the Chamber of Deputies. An analysis by responsible units confirms that these resources did not permeate direct scientific research in the states but remained within the federal scope.
Central Office vs. Research Centers
The new 2026 spending distribution reveals key priorities for the sector. The most robust allocation remains with Unidad 220, responsible for the General Directorate of Scholarships and Support to the Scientific Community, which will manage 26,318 million pesos, ensuring continuity of support for students and members of the National System of Scientific Researchers.
The Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos (Unidad 92M) is another central actor, receiving an allocation of 1,050 million pesos. However, public research centers (CPIs) face stagnation despite receiving the additional 2,500 million pesos for Ramo 38. Most scientific institutions received a nominal 3.5% increase, barely compensating for inflation and maintaining operational levels similar to the previous year.
“Star Projects”
Secretary of Science, Rosaura Ruiz, has emphasized that priority projects of the Presidency do not depend on common operational budgets but on “additional extraordinary funds,” though their allocation and origin remain unclear.
Among these projects are manufacturing the largest supercomputer in Latin America, the Cusari or Kutsari semiconductor initiative, and the Olinia Automotive project.
Budget Trends for Science and Technology
- 2026: 37,360’832,784 pesos
- 2025: 33,295’924,363 pesos
- 2024: 33,170’745,272 pesos
- 2023: 31,655’085,408 pesos
- 2022: 29,564’150,670 pesos
- 2021: 26,573’104,028 pesos
- 2020: 25,658’798,449 pesos
- 2019: 24,764’719,642 pesos
Sector with the Largest Allocation
- Secretariat (Sector 100): 2,663 million pesos
- Scholarships and Support (Unidad 220): 25,318 million pesos
- National Rosario Castellanos University (Unidad 92M): 1,050 million pesos
- CICESE (Ensenada): 620.3 million pesos
- CIBNOR (Baja California Sur): 526.1 million pesos
- CIDESI (Querétaro): 357.2 million pesos
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total budget for Ramo 38 (Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation) in 2026? The total budget is 37,360’832,784 pesos.
- How are resources distributed among different sectors within Ramo 38? The Secretariat (Sector 100) receives the largest allocation at 2,663 million pesos, followed by Scholarships and Support (Unidad 220) with 25,318 million pesos and the National Rosario Castellanos University (Unidad 92M) with 1,050 million pesos.
- What are the “star projects” funded by additional extraordinary funds? These projects include manufacturing the largest supercomputer in Latin America, the Cusari or Kutsari semiconductor initiative, and the Olinia Automotive project.
- How have budget allocations changed for research centers over the past few years? Budgets have fluctuated, with a nominal 3.5% increase in 2026 for most institutions, barely compensating for inflation and maintaining similar operational levels to the previous year.
