Scientists have warned Spain's government that its planned budget cuts and hiring freeze could be fatal for national research. Along with widespread general protests (pictured, in Madrid) this month against budget cuts and labour reforms, more than 36,000 people (including three Nobel laureates) and 65 organizations have signed an 'open letter for science in Spain', which was presented to members of parliament at the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences in Madrid on 16 March. Research minister Carmen Vela says that the government is planning to cut €743 million (US$978 million) from the science budget, a fall of 9% from last year; a draft budget is due on 30 March. See go.nature.com/hcarmz for more.
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