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In 2010, investment in research represents only 0.5% of Chile's GDP. A campaign group, composed of doctoral researchers, puts pressure on governments to change their policies

science has been widely recognized as a path to economic and social development. Despite the universality of this course, the discussion on how to develop effective policies for science, one question seems unduly reserved only for the "big countries".

Chile is a small country debate on how research and development (R & D) should be important. We are in a good position in terms of scientific research, ranking 21 in the world (the first in South America) in terms of citations per article (in countries where more than 20,000 documents on the period 1996-2010). But despite these impressive figures, in 2012, investment in R & D is only 0.5% of GDP. And while Chile today can be a member of the OECD, we have the Ministry of Science and our research spending is nothing compared to the OECD average.

In response, the scientific community came together to protest in 2007 and 2010, and to increase awareness of investment in R & D, the absence of a national R & D ( the latter was entered into force in 1988), and the urgent need for a new governance of research.

advocacy group, More Science for Chile (More Science for Chile), was founded in late 2010 and about 20 science students, postdoctoral researchers and journalists working today in the fields above and the promotion of better public attitudes towards science and science communication. Some of us knew in advance, while others joined on the road began an online petition addressed to both citizens and scientists call. To date, we have had 2600 signatures. In August 2011, we meet politicians, scientists, journalists, graduate students and experts in the field, in the Chilean parliament. Conference on "Towards a public institution for the development of science in Chile", and its main objective was to speak to the Commission on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives. This first experience was undoubtedly a "rite of passage" and an achievement in itself. Although the government has been reluctant to consider our proposals (even if they were well received by some members of the Chilean Parliament), the need for "more science Chile" campaign became clear and we continue to do our If the media. More letters, blogs and articles that deal with these topics are being published before. In April this year a letter was published in the journal Science and continue to stimulate discussion roundtables and seminars. The movement was strengthened. However, looking back on what has been achieved so far, it is fair to say that we could have done better in some aspects of our campaign. We have had limited success by actively participating in the local media and a significant portion of the scientific community is still reluctant to participate in this debate - although this may be partly due to cultural traits

next year Chilean presidential campaigns start and will be a good opportunity to assess the impact of our initiatives. The promotion of scientific research has never been a problem in previous elections, but the commitment of the scientific and academic community, after our work began, this situation should change. But change takes time. Political will is necessary, but the politicians involved in the debate is so difficult - in Chile and elsewhere in the world. Similarly, most scientists should be involved and participate. Yet More Science initiatives like Chile (or even science is indispensable in the UK) can not always change the way scientists and politicians interact and exchange information and ideas. And continuous budget cuts or inadequate policies Now the scientific world the most common policy science could be fertile ground for new and young scientists to explore.

Pablo Astudillo Besnier part of the More Science for Chile coordination team. He qualified in Molecular Biotechnology at the

Editor's Note

rebuttal letter

Chairman of the National Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) was also published in Science.