Brazil Approves Ambitious 10-Year Science and Innovation Strategy to Boost Economy and R&D Investment
Brazil has approved a decade-long National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (ENCTI) aiming to boost R&D investment to 2% of GDP and launch a detailed action plan within 120 days to transform science into a development engine.
- • Brazil approved the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (ENCTI) 2024-2034 as a guiding policy.
- • The strategy aims to increase R&D investment to 2% of GDP by 2034.
- • A working group has been formed to develop a detailed Action Plan (PACTI) for 2027-2031 within 120 days.
- • Priority areas include AI, bioeconomy, semiconductors, climate change, and energy transition.
Key details
The Brazilian federal government has officially approved the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (ENCTI) 2024-2034, a landmark plan designed to guide national science and technology policies over the next decade. Published through Portaria nº 10.226 and signed by Minister Luciana Santos, ENCTI establishes a strategic framework for enhancing Brazil's scientific production, technological capacity, and economic development through innovation.
A cornerstone objective of the strategy is to increase national investments in research and development (R&D) to 2% of Brazil’s GDP by 2034, aligning the country with leading innovation-driven economies. To operationalize ENCTI’s strategic goals, a dedicated working group has been formed, coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) Executive Secretariat, and comprised of 14 experts including representatives from the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
This group is tasked with developing a detailed Action Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (PACTI) covering 2027-2031. The plan will translate ENCTI’s broad strategic guidelines into concrete programs, measurable goals, budgets, and execution timelines within 120 days.
ENCTI identifies priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, bioeconomy, health, agro-sciences, defense, energy transition, and climate change technologies. By targeting these areas, the government aims to reduce technological dependence, advance industrial competitiveness, foster skilled employment, and support sustainable development.
The strategy’s formulation was highly participatory, involving over 100,000 contributors from academia, industry, civil society, and government through the 5th National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation and public consultations via the Brazil Participatory platform. This inclusive process ensured a diversified agenda reflecting national scientific and social demands.
Moving forward, the challenge will lie in securing stable funding and institutional coordination to transform strategic ambitions into tangible scientific productivity and technological sovereignty gains. If successfully implemented, ENCTI has the potential to embed a state-level science and technology policy fostering Brazil’s long-term competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
