Lack of recurring funding agreement leaves a UPR research center out $2 million.

By THE STAR STAFF

A stalemate in negotiations between the Center for Molecular Sciences Research at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde has jeopardized the center’s operations.

An agreement guaranteeing the corporation $8.5 million in recurring funding for six years expired on June 30, 2025.

The expiration of the agreement coincided with Jordán Conde assuming the presidency last July. Ten months later, a new agreement has not been reached to allow the transfer of at least $2 million in funds that were to be allocated to the center for the current fiscal year, as certified by the UPR board of trustees.

“The funds have not been processed because there is no agreement,” Jordán Conde said during the regular meeting of the UPR governing board on April 30. “The University cannot transfer funds without a signed agreement.”

Her statement came in response to questions from faculty representative Rafael Méndez Tejeda, who has raised this issue at the past three meetings of the governing body.

The Center for Molecular Sciences Research is a UPR-affiliated non-profit corporation whose building construction began in 2004. In 2010, it was designated as an external entity to avoid the instability in the governance of the university system.