Brazil Government Reaffirms Science and Technology as National Priorities with Growing Investments
Brazil's government prioritizes science and technology with record FNDCT funding and strengthened national research networks including INCTs.
- • Brazil's FNDCT budget increased significantly: nearly R$10 billion in 2023, R$12.7 billion in 2024, projected R$14.6 billion in 2025.
- • Minister Luciana Santos emphasized science and technology as essential to solving major challenges like climate change and hunger.
- • Campinas Metropolitan Region is recognized as a key hub for research and innovation in Brazil.
- • National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs) facilitate integrated, long-term research across Brazilian institutions, exemplified by the INCT of Photonics' expansion in 2025.
Key details
The Brazilian government under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is placing renewed emphasis on science and technology as critical drivers of national development. Luciana Santos, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, highlighted this commitment during a recent event at the University of Campinas (Unicamp), noting a significant increase in the budget of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT). The fund's allocation rose to nearly R$ 10 billion in 2023, with projections of R$ 12.7 billion for 2024 and R$ 14.6 billion in 2025, reflecting a major increase compared to previous years where the total for four years was approximately R$ 15.14 billion. Santos underscored the essential role of science and technology in tackling major national challenges such as climate change and food insecurity, stating, "No major challenge, from climate change to combating hunger, can be solved without science."
The significance of the Campinas Metropolitan Region as a hub of scientific research and innovation was also stressed by event organizers and university officials. Councilman Gustavo Petta referred to the region as a strategic driver of scientific development in Brazil, while Unicamp's rector Paulo César Montanheiro emphasized the university’s role in fostering a dynamic ecosystem that combines knowledge generation and industrial innovation at a Latin American scale.
Complementing these efforts, Brazil's National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs), established in 2008 as an evolution of the Millennium Institutes, continue to strengthen integrated research networks across the country. The INCTs support large-scale, long-term interdisciplinary projects and training of highly qualified human resources. One highlighted initiative is the INCT of Photonics (INFO), based at the Federal University of Pernambuco, recognized for its multidisciplinary work spanning fundamental physics, chemistry, advanced materials, and health applications. Starting in 2025, INFO will expand collaboration among 17 institutions across various Brazilian regions, supporting ambitious research agendas addressing critical national issues.
An example of INCT’s impact includes efforts to develop Brazilian technology for detecting heavy metals in environmental samples, benefiting vulnerable populations such as the Yanomami community. Testimonies from participating institutions point to significant advances in graduate programs and international partnerships fostered by the INCT framework.
Together, these government initiatives and institutional networks mark a revitalized and strategic investment in science and technology as pillars for Brazil’s socio-economic advancement and technological autonomy.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.