Skip to content
An official website of the OECD. Find out more
Created by the Public Governance Directorate

This website was created by the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), part of the OECD Public Governance Directorate (GOV).

How to validate authenticity

Validation that this is an official OECD website can be found on the Innovative Government page of the corporate OECD website.

Hidalgo-PSI call for access to synchrotron light time to combat COVID-19

Innovative response

The State of Hidalgo copes with COVID-19 through science.
Working in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the Swiss Synchrotron (SLS) for the development of joint research and academic exchange. The Government of the State of Hidalgo in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) convened the scientific community in Mexico to participate in the first call for priority access to synchrotron light to combat COVID-19, with proposals aimed at generating a greater understanding of the structure of the COVID-19 that requires the use of the Swiss Synchrotron (SLS) and whose results allow to face its evolution or mutation, as well as to develop the diagnoses, medications and vaccines necessary to combat this virus and prevent its spread.

The Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) will provide priority access to the Synchrotron Light Source to selected proposals and the Government of the State of Hidalgo will pay the trip and stay expenses, as well as the research-related costs.

Specific issues addressed and anticipated impact

The first Call for access to synchrotron light time to combat COVID-19 has the purpose of bringing scientists in Mexico closer to the most advanced and powerful research instruments in the world, creating a possibility to participate in the search for solutions to the pandemic due to COVID-19. Likewise, it seeks to generate working groups to show the importance of having a Synchrotron in Mexico that allows scientists in our country to carry out frontier science and achieve technological sovereignty. With this, Mexico is expected to have great science facilities that allow it to solve current problems and be prepared to face future problems based on science and technology, managing to create a knowledge economy that drives the country's development.

Organisations/institutions involved

Government of the State of Hidalgo
Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI)
Swiss Light Source (SLS)
SIncrotrón Mexicano en Hidalgo (SMH)

Potential issues

The results obtained in the investigations carried out in the Swiss synchrotron Luz source aim to provide knowledge about the combat to COVID-19. Therefore, the participation of the scientific community, the public and private sectors, businessmen, academics, and the whole of society in Mexico is required to promote the construction of the Mexican Synchrotron in Hidalgo, which enables border science to be carried out, achieving technological sovereignty in the country. . With this, Mexico will be able to seek solutions to major national problems and contribute to the world.

Level(s) of government:
  • Local government
  • Non-Profit/Civil Society

Issues being addressed:

  • Governance responses
  • Scientific Research

Response contact:

[email protected]

Media:

Date Submitted:

2 May 2020