SANTO DOMINGO. – The Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) presented the results of the evaluation and awarding process for the 2025 Call for Proposals of the Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development Projects, through which the Presidency of the Republic will finance nine research projects aimed at generating solutions to the massive influxes of sargassum seaweed affecting the coasts of the Dominican Republic.
The Government will allocate RD$59.2 million to finance the studies presented by five universities that were selected in the first call for the special fund, announced in 2023.
The activity, held at the INTEC campus, included the participation of representatives from the universities that make up the Inter-University Network for Sargassum Research (SARGARD), as well as members of the Sargassum Committee, the body responsible for the evaluation and awarding of projects, coordinated by INTEC.
On behalf of the Presidency of the Republic, the Vice Minister of International Cooperation, Olaya Dotel, reaffirmed the Dominican State's commitment to allocate one million dollars to this initiative, highlighting that sargassum constitutes an environmental challenge with economic, social and ecological implications of great magnitude.
“Universities are making very important efforts to generate answers to fundamental and structural problems. To you, researchers, the Dominican State expresses its gratitude,” the official declared.
Meanwhile, Alliet Ortega, the interim rector of INTEC and representative of the Sargassum Committee, presented the details of the application 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.
“This is a clear example of what can be achieved when the triple helix—government, academia, and the private sector—is articulated with vision and purpose, all committed to national development and the search for transformative solutions to the challenges that affect us,” Ortega pointed out.
Finally, it was announced that INTEC will monitor the selected research groups, who will be required to 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 for proposals, which was open from January 20 to February 14, 2025, received a total of 30 projects, of which 17 were selected for evaluation. The winning projects were then chosen to receive funding to advance the valorization and innovative use of sargassum, with priority given to those with successful proof-of-concept studies.
The Evaluation Committee for the proposals is composed of: a representative from the Dominican Republic 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 of the Network or to submitted projects, thus ensuring the transparency of the call for proposals.
Winning projects
Among the nine winning projects, those from INTEC include “Development of particleboard from sargassum with a focus on 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 pyrolysis and microwaves” 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”, by Professor Francisco Ramirez with an amount of RD$5,629,200 and “Elaboration of construction elements with Sargassum: concrete blocks, mortars and thermoacoustic insulating panels (ConstruSargass)”, by Yokasta García, which will have 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 an ecofuel 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 consumption for local consumption and export,” which will have 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 the use of water in agriculture”, a project that will have RD$7,913,556.20 available for research purposes.
