newsletter september 2021 of the highest level that promote the scientific deve- lopment of the country, since we understand that only with the best scientific talent, both local and interna tional, can the Basque Country participate in the inter national community of science Giving recognition to all those research and science pro fessionals and promoting scientific activity by streng- thening the teams of researchers who carry out their work in the Basque Country is a strategic chal lenge for the Basque Government and therefore for all the agents involved in Basque science. Strengthening science in the Basque Country Ikerbasque, an organization promoted by the Basque Government to strengthen science in the Basque Coun try through talent attraction programs to promote sci entific careers, maintains permanent coordination with FERNANDO COSSÍO, the different centers, institutions and organizations that Scientific Director of Ikerbasque, make up the Basque science and technology network. Basque Foundation for Science ESS Bilbao is one of the institutions with which Ikerbasque has maintained a close collaboration since its inception. Both institutions are currently committed to the Basque Government’s strategic commitment to hiring Ikerbasque researchers with specific profiles in neutron science and technologies, all in line with the Horizon Europe + Talent program. International recognition Throughout its history, the Basque Foundation for Science has funded research projects worth more than Recently awarded €235M, with more than 9,000 articles in high-im the Euskadi Research pact indexed publications, placing it as a benchmark within the scientific community. Its team of researchers Prize 2020, which the Basque of recognized international prestige has established it self within the different multidisciplinary fields that sci Government announces annually, ence encompasses. Fernando Cossío, has been in charge Consolidating scientific work and attracting research of the Scientific Directorate of talent is one of Ikerbasque’s missions. The future is to weave a solid network of researchers and turn them, Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation through the promotion of their scientific careers, into references within the different disciplines that are de for Science for more veloped in the centers and institutions of the Basque science and technology network. than 12 years. Generating new scientific knowledge, incorporating, and training young research talent, advancing gender equality,increasing scientific production and interna tional collaborations are some of the 12 challenges that Ikerbasque has set itself for the immediate future. 21