Almost 500 Spanish scientists today urged the parties running in the general elections to make a firm commitment to the sustainable and competitive development of science, with more funding and measures to stimulate the participation of Universities.*100002 *Almost 500 Spanish scientists have today urged the parties running in the general elections to make a firm commitment to the sustainable and competitive development of science, with more funding and measures to stimulate the participation of universities. In an open letter , the 492 scientists of the Gadea Foundation for Science, chaired by the co-director of the Atapuerca deposits, Juan Luis Arsuaga, and made up of some of the best Spanish scientists such as the chemist María Vallet Regí or the biochemist Mariano Barbacid, lament the lack of presence of science on the agenda and political debates, as if these issues were not of citizen interest. On the contrary, the scientists of this Foundation are convinced that Science is an essential service in the approaches and schemes of a modern state that must be favored by all, for the benefit of all. For this reason, the letter, sent this Tuesday to all political parties, calls for a convinced and firm commitment to a sustainable and competitive development of Science in Spain that allows progress towards a prosperous, free, open and supportive society. For this, it is necessary to have a clear and maintained investment program that feeds the Spanish R+D+i system and allocates at least 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next four years. At the same time, they point out, the necessary legislative changes should be promoted so that the annual financial funds, budgeted for R+D+i objectives and not executed, are used to create and nurture a financing fund (bank) controlled and managed by the State Investigation Agency (AEI). Regarding the AEI, they propose to provide the agency with sufficient and multi-year resources (human and budgetary), and the autonomy and independence necessary for its proper functioning and fulfillment of its objectives. And that, they point out, should be accompanied by measures to modernize and make the management of publicly funded research projects more flexible, from the calls to the aid application processes, also those of spin-offs, start-ups and innovative SMEs. As for the Universities, the letter urges them to stimulate, promote and facilitate the essential participation of these centers in the processes of scientific and innovative development hand in hand with our industrial fabric. The scientists also ask politicians to promote appreciation for Knowledge and social participation in science and innovation, undertaking the precise reforms in the Patronage Law and with special tax treatment for R+D+i activities.Regarding the electoral campaign, the signatories request all political parties a firm, clear, unequivocal and seamless commitment, creating a Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation, as the basis of an informed and strong society based on Knowledge, a fundamental element for sustainable and competitive development. Only in this way, they conclude, will Science be able to overcome present and future challenges.