How to Align Science and Politics in the Context of Competitive Funding: An Analysis of Political Interest in Science and Public Fund Allocation in Chile (1982–2021)

This article examines the relationship between the principles of scientific excellence and equity in national science policy in Chile, a semi-peripheral country. It seeks to understand how political priorities influence the distribution of scientific resources and how these influences interact with disciplinary and institutional contexts. The study analyzes data on the allocation of publicly funded scientific projects in Chile 1982–2021. This quantitative dataset is complemented by a qualitative review of presidential speeches and institutional policy documents from the same period, enabling a contextual interpretation of the findings. The findings indicate that political priorities are reflected in project allocations, particularly through the promotion of certain research topics and increasing attention to gender and territorial equity. Yet, the influence of political agendas is mediated by contextual variables such as disciplinary area, the trajectories of scientific communities, and the structure of the research ecosystem. The analysis reveals a dynamic of “negotiated autonomy,” in which political influence on science is present but shaped by institutional and disciplinary factors. These dynamics highlight the complex interplay between equity, excellence, and governance in the design and implementation of science policy in Chile.