Brazil Advances Protection and Promotion of Research Incentives Amid Innovation Push
Brazilian legislation advances protection of critical tax incentives for research and launches funding to boost inclusive science events nationwide.
- • CCT approved a bill to exempt research incentives from tax cuts imposed by Lei Complementar 224 of 2025, preserving the Lei do Bem.
- • In 2024, R$ 12 billion in tax renouncement under the Lei do Bem resulted in R$ 51.6 billion in innovation investments, with TCU classifying the incentives as low risk.
- • MCTI and CNPq launched an R$ 8 million public call supporting events for the 23rd National Week of Science and Technology, focusing on women's contributions in science.
- • The SNCT funding prioritizes inclusivity, requiring 30% of projects to be from black or indigenous proponents and guarantees representation from every Brazilian state.
Key details
The Comissão de Ciência e Tecnologia (CCT) has approved a pivotal complementary bill that safeguards research, science, and technology incentives from tax benefit cuts mandated by Lei Complementar 224 of 2025. This move protects the renowned Lei do Bem, which supports companies engaged in R&D with vital tax benefits. Senator Izalci Lucas, the bill's proposer, emphasized that maintaining these incentives lowers the private cost of innovation, stimulating business investment in technology and fostering productivity, competitiveness, and skilled job creation.
In 2024 alone, R$ 12 billion in tax renouncements related to the Lei do Bem stimulated R$ 51.6 billion in innovation investments, a significant return that underscores the program's impact. The Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU) classified these fiscal incentives as "low risk," highlighting their sound public policy value. According to reports, the government contributes around R$ 8 billion to research investments, leveraging roughly R$ 30 billion in private R&D spending.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) alongside the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) opened an R$ 8 million public call supporting national events during the 23rd National Week of Science and Technology (SNCT). Running from October 20 to November 1 with activities culminating in Brasília, this year’s theme "Ciência Delas" shifts focus to women’s contributions in science. The initiative mandates accessible, free events with inclusivity provisions, including a strong emphasis on projects from black or indigenous proponents and guaranteed representation across all states.
These complementary efforts demonstrate Brazil's robust commitment to promoting innovation ecosystems through protected fiscal incentives and broad-based community engagement in science.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
