The National Research and Development Agency (ANID) promotes the Scientific and Technological Equipment Fund (Fondequip) as a primary financing mechanism for Chile's scientific infrastructure. Through its Major and Medium funding lines, the competition enables universities to acquire or update high-standard equipment. This investment is essential for advancing high-impact research and maintaining competitive laboratories across the country.
In the Fondequip 2025 edition, the University of Santiago de Chile (Usach) secured four strategic projects. The Major Equipment project, led by Dr. Francisco Melo of the Department of Physics, focuses on large-scale infrastructure designed to expand experimental capabilities and foster new interdisciplinary collaborations within the scientific community.
Additionally, Usach was awarded three Medium Fondequip projects to modernize specialized technology. Dr. Claudio Acuña (Aquaculture Biotechnology Center) will upgrade a confocal microscope to super-resolution levels; Dr. Rafael Orellana (Department of Electrical Engineering) will implement an autonomous aerial vehicle platform for studying dynamic systems; and Dr. David Espínola (Nonlinear Physics Laboratory) will integrate a high-precision ultrasonic scanner for 3D volumetric imaging and mechanical mapping.
Regarding these achievements, the Director of Scientific and Technological Research (Dicyt), Dr. Maritza Páez, emphasized that "securing these projects is a significant milestone in consolidating our scientific capacity. High-standard equipment is vital for sustaining competitive research lines. At Dicyt, we remain committed to creating the conditions necessary for our community to produce excellent research and strengthen Usach’s national scientific contributions."