Research in applied sciences is the most valuable instrument for the development of a country or region; however, it is evident that financial resources, but above all human resources, represent a growing limitation. Latin American young scientists face increasing barriers to accessing opportunities to develop and enhance their careers either locally or internationally. This is due to several factors that include, but are not limited to the lack of: research grants, grants for professional internships, funds for innovation and development, global inter-institutional alliances, public-private alliances for entrepreneurs, research projects in international cooperation, and even lack of reliable information resources.
These factors lead to the phenomenon called “Brain drain”, where talented young scientists who have managed to leave the country for their graduate and/or postgraduate studies, are recruited by universities, high-level scientific research centers or companies in the global north. The career offers not only include attractive working conditions, but especially funding opportunities for their research. Unfortunately, in most cases, young researchers settle down in these countries and the research developed is unrelated to the research fields of the territories of origin of the young researcher and focuses mainly on the research interests of the Global North.
This issue has a direct impact on development and innovation in the region, being a determining component in the delay of science development in the countries from the Global South. The European Union recognizes science, innovation, technology and youth as its pillars for development. One of the programs driving these pillars is The European Institute of Innovation and Technology and it alone has had a budget allocation of €2.4 billion between 2014 and 2020. The program has a strong emphasis in young talents however, just few programs are open for non-Europeans and normally with limited spots. Therefore, to achieve global equity in the development of science and innovation, it is essential to create optimal, dynamic and attractive local and international ecosystems, where young talents can obtain a variety of opportunities for education, innovation, interchange and development of their ideas and research projects that respond to the needs of their localities towards sustainable development.