Winning projects from the Presidential Special Fund for sargassum research presented
SANTO DOMINGO. - The Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) presented the results of the evaluation and award process for the 2025 Call for Proposals of the Fund for Scientific and Technological Innovation and Development Projects, through which the Presidency of the Republic will finance nine research projects aimed at generating solutions to the massive influxes of sargassum affecting the coasts of the Dominican Republic.
The government will allocate RD$59.2 million to finance the studies submitted by five universities selected in the first call for applications from the special fund, announced in 2023.
The activity, held on the INTEC campus, was attended by representatives of the universities that make up the Interuniversity Sargassum Research Network (SARGARD), as well as the members of the Sargassum Committee, the body responsible for evaluating and awarding projects, coordinated by INTEC.
Representing the Presidency of the Republic, the Vice Minister of International Cooperation, Olaya Dotel, reaffirmed the Dominican State's commitment to allocating one million dollars to this initiative, highlighting that sargassum represents an environmental challenge with significant economic, social, and ecological implications.
"Universities are making very important efforts to generate responses to fundamental and structural problems. The Dominican State thanks you, researchers," the official stated.
Meanwhile, the interim rector of INTEC and representative of the Sargassum Committee, Alliet Ortega, presented the details of the call for proposals and evaluation process for the 30 projects submitted by researchers from SARGARD member universities. She also announced the nine winning projects, selected based on their relevance, feasibility, and potential impact. Most of the proposals focus on the valorization and utilization of sargassum.
"It is a clear example of what can be achieved when the triple helix is articulated with vision and purpose: government, academia, and the private sector, all committed to national development and the search for transformative solutions to the challenges that affect us," Ortega stated.
Finally, it was announced that INTEC will monitor the beneficiary research groups, who must submit progress reports within one year and a final report upon completion of their projects. This process will ensure that the results contribute not only to the generation of knowledge but also to the implementation of concrete solutions with an impact on the country and the region.
The Special Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development Projects on the Sargassum Problem was created in 2023 by the Presidency of the Republic through the Ministries of Tourism and Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT) to identify viable solutions to the Sargassum problem.
The call, which was open from January 20 to February 14, 2025, received a total of 30 projects, of which 17 were evaluated. The winning projects were ultimately selected and will receive funding to advance the valorization and innovative use of sargassum, with priority given to those with successful proof of concept.
The Evaluation Committee for proposals is composed of a representative from the Dominican Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and a representative from the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES). The process also included the participation of external evaluators with no ties to member universities or submitted projects, thus ensuring the transparency of the call for proposals.
Winning projects
Among the nine winning projects from INTEC are the "Development of particle boards from sargassum with a focus on the circular economy," led by research professor Yaset Rodríguez, which will receive RD$8,998,920 in funding; "Product of industrial interest from sargassum obtained by conventional and microwave pyrolysis" by José Aceituno, with a budget of RD$6,320,874; and "Photoprotective potential of active ingredients obtained from sargassum that washes up in the Dominican Republic," by Marlen Izquierdo, with RD$9,545,060.
From PUCMM, the projects “Development of a predictive methodology to monitor sargassum in the Dominican Republic” will be carried out, by professor Francisco Ramirez with an amount of RD$5,629,200 and “Elaboration of construction elements with Sargassum: concrete blocks, mortars and thermoacoustic insulation panels (ConstruSargass)”, by Yokasta García, which will have an amount of RD$5,863,578.
From UFHEC, Yessica Castro will address the “Optimization of the use of Sargassum spp. as an adsorbent material for the removal of heavy metals in contaminated waters: integration of fixed bed and data science,” with a fund of RD$9,240,750; and Euripides Amor will lead the “Industrialization for the massive use of sargassum as eco-fuel or direct combustion of sargassum biomass”, with an amount of RD$9,874,700.
Yulisa Alcántara, from ISA University, is researching the "Use of sargassum in the development of agricultural inputs and products for human and livestock food for local consumption and export," which will receive RD$7,714,903.68.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Abril of UNAPEC will lead the "Development of a Natural Superabsorbent and Soil Conditioner in Sargassum to Optimize Water Use in Agriculture," a project that will have RD$7,913,556.20 for research purposes.