Brazil Boosts Science and Technology Funding with Major Institutional and Budgetary Expansions in 2026

The Brazilian government and key state institutions have announced significant funding increases and institutional expansions to enhance the country's science and technology sectors in 2026. This boost includes a major budget restoration for the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and substantial increases in state-level scientific funding and capacity-building efforts.

At the federal level, the government authorized a supplementary credit of R$186.3 million to CNPq, part of a broader supplementary budget of R$1.36 billion distributed across ministries focused on science, education, and student support. This restoration enables CNPq to resume goals outlined in the 2026 Annual Budget Law after previous cuts, supporting scholarships, postgraduate programs, and the retention of young scientific talent, as emphasized by CNPq President Olival Freire Junior. Additionally, R$977 million was restored for federal educational institutions, including R$332 million for federal universities and R$156 million for the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education.

In the northeastern state of Sergipe, the State Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (Funtec) will see a 108.5% budget increase compared to 2023, rising to R$31.4 million in 2026, marking nearly 18% growth from 2025. According to Valmor Barbosa, Secretary of Economic Development and President of the state's Science and Technology Council (Concit), this historic funding surge will drive new projects and strengthen research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Key allocations include R$18.4 million to Fapitec and R$3.6 million to SergipeTec, facilitating technological products development and event promotion.

At the municipal level in Feira de Santana, the Fundação Municipal de Ciências & Tecnologia Egberto Tavares Costa (FUNTITEC) was relaunched with expanded roles via Law No. 4,400. Now a public foundation linked to the mayor’s office, FUNTITEC is charged with promoting scientific research, innovation, securing various levels of funding, and fostering partnerships with educational and research institutions. Director-President Antônio Carlos Coelho highlighted the foundation’s commitment to transforming knowledge into local development solutions and improving public service through science and technology.

Together, these federal and regional developments demonstrate Brazil’s commitment to reinforcing its national science, technology, and innovation system through strategic funding, capacity building, and institutional modernization.