Urgent measures to streamline science and university management

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. Public research bodies can hire staff for specific research projects using an annual model report from the State Attorney's Office, instead of one report per contract. This speeds up hiring.
2. Public research bodies that are not state agencies must have centralized financial management within one year. Their internal control also becomes permanent financial control by the State Comptroller General (Intervención General de la Administración del Estado), replacing the prior approval function.
3. Public research bodies, public universities not transferred to regional governments, and other entities may take out credit operations for repayable advances from the State budget, but only for expenses funded by European funds (ERDF or European Social Fund).
4. If it lacks enough staff, the State Research Agency may hire private audit firms or account auditors, paid or unpaid, to verify grants under the State Plan, after a report from the State Comptroller General.
5. Developers of science and technology parks facing financial trouble may request deferral of loan or advance amortization installments due in 2019, for loans granted by the Ministry of Science since 2000, under conditions such as keeping the original loan term and providing additional guarantees.
6. The so-called university income loans can be renegotiated (novated) until June 30, 2019: repayment only resumes when the borrower's personal income taxincome tax The personal income tax (IRPF in Spain): what people pay on what they earn from work, business or savings. base exceeds 22,000 euros, the repayment period is 15 years, and the debt of borrowers who die is forgiven.

Who it affects

• State public research bodies: They get better financial management, internal control, and research staff hiring.
• Public universities and science and technology entities: They can use more flexible agreements, take out credit operations, and sign contracts tied to research projects.
• Developers of science and technology parks: They can defer loan installments due in 2019 if they prove financial hardship.
• Former students with university income loans: They can renegotiate their loans with a grace period until their tax base exceeds 22,000 euros, and repay over 15 years.
• Teaching and research staff: Situations such as maternity, paternity, or temporary disability no longer count against them in selection and evaluation processes.

Words worth knowing

Función interventora (prior approval function)

A prior check verifying that each public expense follows the rules before it is authorized.

Control financiero permanente (permanent financial control)

Ongoing oversight of an organization's financial management, instead of reviewing each expense separately.

Novación (novation)

An agreement that changes the conditions of an existing contract or loan.

Período de carencia (grace period)

A time during which the loan does not have to be repaid and no interest accrues.

Contrato menor (minor contract)

A low-value public contract that follows a simpler procedure than the ordinary one.

income tax

The personal income tax (IRPF in Spain): what people pay on what they earn from work, business or savings.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries