How National Laboratories Project into the Future. a Case from the Economic South

The concept of protecting national science and technology was born since the 17^th Century when Great Britain and France decided to support national science for the benefit of their constituencies. The idea behind the National Laboratories, and its equivalents, is that they are sponsored by the national governments as a way of producing science, technology and innovation that could be used for the growth of their own countries, be it in the economic, health, agricultural, environmental or any other dimensions associated with the wellbeing of the population. In Mexico, as in many other economic South countries, concern for the use of S&T for development took shape as late as the 20^th century with the creation of the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt), in 1970. Conacyt launched the invitation to laboratories to become national as long as they met some characteristics, in 2006. They would receive economic support for infrastructure and equipment. They will, in turn, prepare competent scientists, do research to the highest level, and provide high quality services. A number of labs have been studied by our team through personal interviews, field visits and revision of the literature. Based on these data we classify labs that will continue having an impact in the future, and those who will not. We provide an explanation why some labs will not continue being national in the future, and propose actions that will preclude them from been excluded of the distinction.