The Higher Council of the National University of Rosario (UNR) unanimously approved the 2026 budget today. In a context of scarcity, and while maintaining a balanced budget, a substantial increase in resources is planned for the scientific system—the sector most affected by underfunding—and for sustaining student welfare programs and academic policy. The possibility of having a budget allocation is something that has not occurred since 2023.
La Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR) approved this Tuesday the Budget for the 2026 fiscal year with a balanced investment plan that seeks to safeguard the most important areas for the functioning of the University, with the political decision to prioritize investment in scientific development, which will have 800% more resources than in 2023 (the last project approved because in recent years it was extended) and the strengthening of welfare programs for the support of the university community in a complex economic context.
The projected budget for 2026 prioritizes spending on science, technology, and innovation, safeguards student welfare initiatives and academic growth, and ensures the continuation of infrastructure projects and improvements. While it falls short of what the University needs for optimal and normal operation, it represents the restoration of a tool that provides structure. The Annual Budget Execution Plan could not be prepared since 2023 due to the restructuring of national budgets.
Record investment in Science and Technology
The most noteworthy figure is the allocation of $1.000.000.000 billion for the area of Science, Technology, and Innovation. This represents an increase of over 800% compared to the last approved budget—in 2023—a measure that the rector of the UNR, Franco Bartolacci, described as a “strategic prioritization unprecedented at the UNR.”
“The situation of the scientific system is as complex, if not more so, than that of the university system. Today, the Higher Council of our University discussed the 2026 Budget proposal. After two years, we have the opportunity to discuss how we anticipate and plan the investment of resources that the National Congress has allocated to each of the universities. In a context of scarcity like the one we are experiencing, we have created a balanced budget proposal that safeguards and protects investment in all areas that are relevant to the life of our community,” the rector stated.
“But this year we have especially prioritized and prioritized investment in science, technology, and innovation. Compared to 2023, the last year with an approved budget, this represents an increase of over 800%, totaling one billion pesos, which the UNR will allocate to support its scientific community during this difficult time. We know that this alone is not enough, but every budget is a declaration of principles, and it is a clear statement that our University, in this complex context, prioritizes supporting its scientific community,” the rector emphasized.
The resources allocated to the Science area seek to protect research from the defunding of the national scientific system, generating lines of financing to help researchers and teams from the UNR who are currently experiencing serious difficulties in sustaining themselves or undertaking projects.
University Welfare and Academic Excellence
In its 2026 budget projection, the National University of Rosario (UNR) also sought to safeguard investment in student welfare programs—scholarships, dining halls, and residences, among others—which the Rector considered “essential for many young people to continue their studies”; and to expand investment in the institution's academic development, a growth that is reflected in all indicators—number of degree programs, enrollment, and graduates, with record numbers in all these areas. “On the academic front, $410.000.000 will be allocated to strengthen faculty recruitment and training, curriculum reforms and the development of new proposals, pedagogical innovation, and enrollment retention and graduation promotion programs such as the “Return” program.”
Regarding the overall composition of expenditures, as is typical in the university system, the majority of the budget is allocated to salaries, which, within the personnel category, represent over 94% of the total. With the underfunding of recent years, the proportion of salaries in the total budget has increased, making it more difficult to adequately address the other aspects of university life. In particular, the allocation for operating expenses has been affected not only by the increased proportion of salaries but also by the impact of rising utility costs and other items that have grown faster than the funding increases received by universities.
“It’s good to have a budget approved by Congress because it allows for predictability and planning, although the distortion of recent years between perceived increases and inflation has severely hampered our ability to properly address each area of our University. In this context, we prioritize designing a reasonable, balanced budget that guarantees the minimum and essential investment to cover each area with the resources we have available,” stated the Rector, who “thanked the Governing Council for its unanimous support of the proposal.”
Regarding infrastructure works, an investment of $5.732.000.000 is planned, which includes the restoration of facades in the Faculties of Medical Sciences and Economic Sciences, in addition to the completion of the annex building of the Faculty of Dentistry, new classrooms for the Pre-University Teaching Schools and renovations in Agrarian Sciences, Political Science, Biochemistry, Psychology, Humanities, Architecture and Engineering, among other departments.