Brazil Launches Ambitious Science Strategy Amid Budget Challenges for 2026
Brazil launches its ENCTI 2024-2034 science and innovation strategy with strong societal input, but faces a 5% budget cut for science and technology in 2026, complicating implementation efforts.
- • Brazil launched the ENCTI 2024-2034 to advance science and innovation nationally with wide public participation.
- • The strategy focuses on expanding the CT&I ecosystem, business innovation, technological sovereignty, and social development.
- • The 2026 science and technology budget is R$17.8 billion, 5% lower than 2025 despite some ministry increases.
- • Investment funds for MCTI fell 17%, and the Ministry of Communications faced a 56% cut, challenging ENCTI's execution.
Key details
Brazil's National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (ENCTI) 2024-2034 was unveiled on December 4, marking a pivotal moment for the country's science policy. Developed with contributions from over 100,000 stakeholders, ENCTI aims to transform knowledge into economic, social, and environmental value. The strategy focuses on four core areas: expanding the science and technology ecosystem; fostering business innovation and reindustrialization; securing technological sovereignty in critical sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence; and leveraging science for social development including health and education. ENCTI reflects Brazil's strengths in agro-sciences, bioeconomy, biodiversity, and public health, while addressing urgent challenges such as AI competition and energy transition. A public consultation was opened from December 5 to 20 to gather societal input on the strategy’s implementation.
However, the optimism surrounding ENCTI faces immediate financial constraints. The 2026 budget for science, technology, and communications stands at R$17.8 billion, a 5% reduction compared to 2025. Despite a 14.7% budget increase for the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), its investment funding declined by 17%. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications saw a steep 56% cut in investments. Senate rapporteur Beto Faro highlighted the need to strategically prioritize funding for scientific research, technological innovation, digital inclusion, and access to information amid limited resources. Although 123 parliamentary amendments were proposed, only R$222.1 million in amendments were accepted to supplement the budget.
This budget tension underscores the ongoing challenge of translating ENCTI’s ambitious goals into concrete outcomes. The success of Brazil's decade-long strategy depends on sustained investment and effective coordination between public policies, research institutions, and industry to boost innovation and global competitiveness.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.