Italian budget plan may combine nation’s research institutes

Science : A proposal to reform Italy’s national research institutes has been added to the 2013 budget. The plan was suggested by research minister Francesco Profumo and would combine the 12 current institutes into a single one that would be named the National Research Center. The new organization would be run by a single president, who would replace the current institute heads. The president would be aided by a board of auditors and by a four-person advisory council appointed by the research minister. The proposal would also create bodies to oversee research funding and technology transfers within the organization. However, the plan is drawing criticism from Italian researchers. Although some researchers acknowledge mismanagement in the existing institutes, they do not think the plan will effectively resolve the problems. Others argue that the proposal needs to be addressed as an individual law and not as part of a budget.