Brazil Launches Significant Funding Opportunities for Innovative Research in 2026
Brazil's leading institutions launch substantial funding programs to boost innovative research projects focusing on social and economic impact in 2026.
- • USP offers up to R$ 50,000 in funding for postgraduate innovation projects with a total R$ 500,000 pool.
- • Epamig launches a R$ 12 million funding call for agricultural innovation projects in Minas Gerais.
- • USP program emphasizes entrepreneurship and multidisciplinary teams for applied research.
- • Epamig projects must align with thematic areas including technology showcases and science communication.
- • Both initiatives support research with social, environmental, and economic impacts relevant to their regions.
Key details
Two major funding initiatives in Brazil underscore the growing support for innovation projects with social, environmental, and economic impacts. The University of São Paulo (USP) has opened applications through its program 'Ciência que transforma: extensão do laboratório ao impacto à sociedade,' with a deadline of February 25. This initiative targets research projects led by USP postgraduate students, encouraging entrepreneurship and applied innovation. The program offers two funding lines: 'Exploration and Concept' for early-stage projects, financing up to R$ 25,000, and 'Validation and Planning' for advanced projects, with funding up to R$ 50,000. A total of R$ 500,000 is available, and applicants benefit from webinars clarifying the program details. Rodrigo Calado, USP's pro tempore Graduate Studies Pro-Rector, emphasized fostering a culture of innovation while training researchers capable of managing project teams.
Concurrently, the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Epamig) announced a R$ 12 million funding call targeting projects that benefit agricultural sectors. Regional units and technological institutes can submit up to three proposals each, with budgets ranging from R$ 350,000 to R$ 800,000. Proposed projects must align with themes such as technology demonstrations, scientific events, science communication, and initiatives popularizing agricultural technology. This initiative complies with Law 24.821, which mandates at least 1% of Minas Gerais' state revenue support science and technology, earmarking 40% of those funds for state-level programs.
Together, these funding opportunities highlight Brazil’s commitment to driving innovative research and development with concrete social and economic benefits, encouraging multidisciplinary efforts and community engagement.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Maximum funding amounts
Sources report different maximum funding amounts for projects.
agenciasp.sp.gov.br
"The maximum funding available is R$ 25,000 for initial projects and R$ 50,000 for advanced planning projects."
soupatos.com.br
"Funding ranging from R$ 350,000 to R$ 800,000."
Why this matters: One source states the maximum funding is R$ 25,000 for initial projects and R$ 50,000 for advanced projects, while the other source mentions funding ranging from R$ 350,000 to R$ 800,000. This discrepancy is significant as it affects the understanding of the scale of funding available for research projects.