Scientific research is a key element for growth and development of advanced countries. In Italy, however, the public research is increasingly relegated to the role of Cinderella. In fact, funding, already scarce, are now dramatically on account of insufficient and ill-considered short-sighted policy of governments.
The last icing on the moldy cake and digest packed by the Berlusconi government hungry for Italian researchers, is represented as yet unknown outcome of the assessment of Research Projects of National Interest (PRIN) for the year 2008. The final list was submitted for signature of the Minister Gelmini December 23 last year, well 10 months after the expiry of the notice. The optimists were convinced that the Gelmini, conscious of the serious delay in the evaluation of projects, would have been ratified by a simple ranking firmetta. Useless, after nearly a month hundreds of research groups and thousands of professionals still hanging from his lips, excuse me from the hands of the Gelmini, without knowing whether it may or may not have the resources to continue their research.
In the absence of a serious plan you are forced to live hand to mouth, to the detriment of research. In this dramatic juncture, dear Gelmini, that makes sense to speak of assessment, merit or excellence? Under these conditions, how can you expect to compete with other countries?
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