What SENACYT does

SENACYT (Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) is Panama's constitutional autonomous government authority for science, technology and innovation policy, headquartered at Edificio 205, Ciudad del Saber in Panama City. Founded in 1997, the institution designs and executes the country's STI strategy through the PENCYT national plan (currently PENCYT 2025-2029) and serves four principal constituencies: government ministries, students and educators, researchers and AIP research institutions, and Panamanian enterprises. Its core products and platforms include the SIECTI integrated statistical platform for STI indicators, the Moodle-based Aula Virtual e-learning platform with free courses in sciences and mathematics, the SNI National Research System recognizing researcher careers, and the IMAGINA multimedia publications and broadcasts. Operationally, SENACYT funds research and scholarships through open public calls (Convocatorias), supports a network of 10+ AIP research centers (including CENAMEP for metrology, INDICASAT for biomedical research, COIBA AIP for marine biology, CRIVB for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, INDICATIC for ICT and Industry 4.0, and Georgia Tech Panama for logistics), runs science education programs reaching 2,500+ teachers and 45 robotics clubs, and operates 424+ Infoplazas community internet access centers across Panama.

The business model is direct government budget appropriation plus international cooperation funds; all programs, courses, scholarships, and grants are free to beneficiaries with no commercial pricing. SENACYT monetizes nothing in a traditional sense — its value is captured through national STI ecosystem development, human capital formation, and policy execution. Go-to-market is via direct outreach (Convocatorias, school-based clubs, FabLabs, science cafés, national fairs, Olympiads, and social media channels) and through strategic alliances with multilateral bodies (UNESCO/L'Oréal, JICA, CEPAL, IDB, Horizon Europe), embassies (US), and foreign research institutions (Georgia Tech, Purdue Krach Institute, Spanish science agencies). Eduardo Ortega Barría serves as Secretario Nacional, leading the institution with support from a Board of Directors and the National Commission (CONACYT).

Name

SENACYT

Legal name

Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación

Website

https://senacyt.gob.pa

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Panama's autonomous national government authority for science, technology and innovation policy, funding research, scholarships, and education programs while operating 10+ AIP research centers, the SIECTI data platform, and 424+ Infoplazas nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Science, Technology and Innovation Services

NAICS

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL), Academic Affairs Administration (Curriculum, Scheduling, Academic Policy) (EDADAKAB), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Science technology policy
• Research funding programs
• Innovation ecosystem
• STEM education programs
• National research system

Headquarters

HQ city

Panama City

HQ country

Panama

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: SENACYT is a government agency funded through national budget appropriations. Its primary function is to allocate public funds to research projects, scholarships, science education programs, and AIP (public interest associations) research centers. It also manages international cooperation funds.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SENACYT (Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) is Panama's autonomous national authority for science, technology, and innovation policy. It coordinates the national STI ecosystem by allocating public research funding, managing scholarships and grant programs (Convocatorias), operating a network of public interest research centers (AIPs), running STEM education and teacher training programs, and maintaining national data and learning platforms including SIECTI, Aula Virtual, and SNI.

Product overview

SENACYT (Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación) is Panama's National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation - a government institution rather than a commercial product company. It operates a portfolio of educational programs (including Construimos Matemáticas teacher training, Science Clubs, and Robotics/Digital Education initiatives), e-learning platforms (Aula Virtual Moodle-based platform), data systems (SIECTI for CTI statistics), strategic planning (PENCYT), and supports a network of 14+ Research Centers (AIPs) including CENAMEP (metrology), INDICASAT (scientific research), COIBA (marine biology), CRIVB (vaccines), and INFOPLAZAS (424+ community technology centers). The institution coordinates national science policy, manages grant programs (Convocatorias), and publishes scientific content through IMAGINA magazines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Convocatorias (Grant and Scholarship Programs) Open public calls (Convocatorias Abiertas and Cerradas) inviting researchers, institutions, enterprises, and students to apply for research funding, development grants, scholarships, and innovation funding in priority areas for Panama. Managed through the SENACYT institutional website with detailed terms for each call.
• Construimos Matemáticas Teacher training program that capacitates mathematics teachers from different school regions through in-person, blended, and virtual seminars, focusing on arithmetic, geometry, statistics, measurement systems, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and educational technology. Has trained more than 2,500 teachers nationwide.
• Desarrollo Profesional Docente Continuing education program for in-service teachers including principals, supervisors, and education professionals in priority areas: Science, Mathematics, Technology, Management, and Evaluation.
• Clubes de Ciencia (Science Clubs) Extracurricular non-formal programs where students engage in activities including Chain Reaction, Safety Box, Chemistry in the Kitchen, Rockets, Chess, and Astronomy to strengthen scientific skills and creativity. Coordinated through SENACYT's [email protected].
• Robótica, Programación y Educación Digital (Robotics, Programming and Digital Education) Extracurricular learning environments where participants develop projects in robotics, programming, graphic design, 3D modeling, printing, and animation. Includes RoboCupJunior Panama, Hour of Code, and Scratch Panama. 45 robotics clubs across the country received kits.
• Aula Virtual SENACYT Free Moodle-based online learning platform offering courses in sciences, mathematics, technology, and other subjects, with teacher community forums and responsive design for mobile devices. Course categories include Mathematics, Sciences, Chemistry, Creative Technology, Robotics, Physics, and Biology.
• SIECTI (Sistema Integrado Estadístico en Ciencias, Tecnología e Innovación) Centralized digital platform that organizes, processes, and publishes strategic data on science, technology, and innovation in Panama. Features interactive dashboards for indicators such as research projects, scholarships awarded, financial investment in R&D, and number of associated teachers.
• SNI (Sistema Nacional de Investigación) AIP National Research System promoting and recognizing the research career through incentives based on quality, production, significance, and impact of researchers, groups, and research centers. Includes a registry of researchers, groups, and research centers.
• INFOPLAZAS AIP Network of 424+ community internet access centers equipped with cutting-edge technologies aimed at reducing the digital, economic, and social divide, with many locations in hard-to-reach communities across Panama.
• Programa de Mentoría Científica JULIA y JULIÁN Scientific mentorship program linking young students with distinguished researchers to strengthen socialization and bonds between researchers and university students with scientific vocations. Approximately 80 scientific mentors are registered for the 2026 cycle.
• CENAMEP AIP (Centro Nacional de Metrología de Panamá) National Metrology Center of Panama responsible for establishing and maintaining national measurement standards and ensuring traceability to the International System of Units (SI).
• INDICASAT AIP

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500+ teachers trained in math education through Construimos Matemáticas program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Cámara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá (CCIAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCIAP and SENACYT co-organize the Premio Nacional a la Innovación Empresarial (National Business Innovation Award), now in its 19th year. This flagship partnership recognizes and rewards innovative enterprises in Panama, awarding a total of B/.67,000 to winners plus B/.10,000 to the Businesswoman of the Year. The award has engaged approximately 800 companies since 2007.
• L'Oréal Groupe and UNESCO (Women in Science Program)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Oréal and UNESCO, in collaboration with SENACYT (Panama), Universidad del Rosario (Colombia), Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa (UNSA, Peru), and Universidad Católica de Loja (UTPL, Ecuador), jointly run the regional 'For Women in Science' award program. SENACYT serves as the Panama country partner for this Latin American initiative.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICA and SENACYT collaborate on innovation in the agricultural sector of Chiriquí through the Ideathon and Hackathon IHCAVA program, which supports prototypes and solutions for challenges facing the agricultural sector. JICA provides funding and technical cooperation.
• Embassy of the United States (US Embassy Panama)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe US Embassy in Panama and SENACYT jointly promote dialogue on ethics and artificial intelligence in Panama, supporting responsible AI development and policy discussions.
• Spain (collaboration on AI and applied science)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT has strengthened collaboration with Spain to drive capabilities in artificial intelligence and applied science, through knowledge exchange programs and joint scientific initiatives.
• Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech Panama)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Georgia Tech Panama Center for Innovation and Logistics Research is a non-profit private foundation launched in 2010 through an agreement between Georgia Institute of Technology and the Government of Panama, through SENACYT. The center focuses on developing commercial and logistics capabilities to position Panama as the Logistics and Commercial Hub of the Americas.
• Nations — Foreign Cooperation (various)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT participates in international STI cooperation including programs with various countries. External opportunities published include UNNF (Nippon Foundation) ocean fellowships, ELAP (Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program with Canada), TÜBİTAK (Turkey postdoctoral fellowships), and Horizon Europe (EU research funding).
• Ministry of Education of Panama (MEDUCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT collaborates with MEDUCA on science education programs including teacher training, science clubs in schools, and the national robotics program (RoboCupJunior Panama), integrating STI activities into the national education curriculum.
• Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (UTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTP is a key academic partner for SENACYT, hosting joint events such as business cafes and collaborative research. INDICATIC AIP is a collaboration between SENACYT and UTP focused on ICT research and Industry 4.0.
• Universidad de Panamá (UP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUP is a primary academic partner, collaborating on the PISTA program (academic talent follow-up), research projects, and representation on the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (CONACYT).
• Government ministries (MIDA, MINSA, MIVIOT, MEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT coordinates with various government ministries including MIDA (agriculture), MINSA (health), MIVIOT (housing and territorial planning), and MEF (economy) on policy development, joint forums, and research initiatives that integrate science and public policy.
• National Association of Public Interest Associations (AIPs network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT supports and funds a network of 10+ AIPs including CENAMEP, INDICASAT, COIBA, CIEPS, INDICATIC, CIPAC, CIEDU, CRIVB, SNI, INFOPLAZAS, and others, which collectively constitute the backbone of Panama's research and innovation infrastructure.
• Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional partnership with CCIAP on programs such as the National Innovation Award. CCIAP organizes technology and innovation events where SENACYT participates.
• Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPAL provides technical assistance for the development of Panama's bioeconomy strategy, building national capacity in the methodology for calculating bioeconomy thematic accounts. CEPAL has previously assisted Costa Rica and Ecuador with similar accounts.
• Horizon Europe (European Union)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT publishes information about Horizon Europe, the EU's main research and innovation funding program, as an external financing opportunity for Panamanian researchers and institutions.
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB/BID)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBID participates in SENACYT-organized forums (e.g., Panama: Toward a Sustainable City) with senior specialists in climate change and sustainability, providing technical input for policy briefs.
• Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at PurduecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue signed a strategic alliance to strengthen Panama's technological projection, promoting tech diplomacy and international technology cooperation.
• Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), MIDA, MiAmbiente, INEC, CNCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese government institutions collaborate with SENACYT and CEPAL in developing the national bioeconomy strategy, contributing data, policy expertise, and institutional coordination for the bioeconomy thematic account.
• Universidad Tecnológica OteimacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSENACYT and Universidad Tecnológica Oteima inaugurated the FabLab de Innovación Agro in Chiriquí province, a technology and prototyping center for the agricultural sector, funded by SENACYT and operated in partnership with the university.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Senescyt / INH (Ecuador): Ecuador's higher education and STI secretariat administers research funding, scholarships, and the national researcher registry. Closely comparable in mandate and scale to SENACYT among smaller Latin American economies.
• CONACYT (Mexico) - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología: Mexico's national STI council — the closest structural analogue to SENACYT in Latin America. Funds research, scholarships, and innovation programs, and supports a network of public research centers across the country. Directly comparable in mandate, scope, and political-funding model.
• MINCIENCIAS (Colombia) - Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación: Colombia's STI ministry is a regional peer with similar responsibilities: research funding, scholarship programs, science popularization, and innovation policy. Operates Minciencias as both a funding body and a coordinator of national research actors — directly comparable to SENACYT's mandate.
• ANID (Chile) - Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo: Chile's national STI funding agency manages Fondecyt research grants, scholarships, and innovation programs. Directly comparable to SENACYT in funding research, training human capital, and operating a national researcher registry similar to Panama's SNI.
• CNPq (Brazil) - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico: Brazil's federal research council funds scientific research, scholarships, and innovation across Brazil. Comparable in operating a national researcher registry (Lattes/Plataforma), funding AIP-equivalent research institutes, and managing science education outreach.
• CONICET (Argentina) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas: Argentina's main public research organization operates a network of research institutes and a researcher career system (similar to SNI). Directly comparable in managing scientific human capital and running government-funded research infrastructure at scale.
• CONCYTEC (Peru) - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica: Peru's national STI council funds research, manages a researcher registry (RENACYT, similar to SNI), and coordinates with regional innovation actors. Same mandate and institutional design as SENACYT, though smaller in scale.

Broad incumbents

• NSF (USA) - National Science Foundation: The U.S. federal agency that funds non-medical basic research and education. Functions as a much larger, more mature analog of SENACYT's research-funding and science-education mandate. Useful as a benchmark for institutional scale and design, though not a direct competitor in Panama.
• UNESCO: UN agency that partners with SENACYT on the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program and broader STI capacity building. Not a direct competitor, but a comparable institutional actor in global science policy and a key upstream partner shaping SENACYT's programming.

Regional players

• CONACYT (Paraguay) - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología: Paraguay's national STI council is a regional counterpart with similar mandate in research funding and science education. Smaller in scale than SENACYT and primarily focused on Paraguay, but useful for regional benchmarking on STI policy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/senacyt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IMAGINATVSENACYT
• Facebookfacebook.com/SenacytPanama
• Instagraminstagram.com/senacyt/?hl=es
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/senacyt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about SENACYT