Brazil Pushes for Stronger Science and Innovation Framework with New Leadership and Investment Goals

At the 78th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC) held in Niterói, experts and government officials highlighted critical updates and challenges in Brazil's science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. They emphasized the need for substantial improvements in infrastructure, funding, and governance to secure Brazil's position as a global scientific leader.

Francilene Garcia, SBPC president, pointed out that Brazil currently invests 1.2% of its GDP in research and development, an improvement from past decades but still inadequate given the country's societal and technological challenges. She stated the urgent necessity of raising this investment to 2% of GDP to tackle pressing issues such as climate change and health innovation effectively.

Celina Pereira from the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services underscored the importance of robust institutional infrastructure and governance that connects scientific knowledge with public policies, ensuring resource prioritization and coordinated action. Osvaldo Moraes from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation praised accomplishments like the Sirius synchrotron but noted slow progress on the nuclear reactor project, advocating for increased national investment to boost scientific capacity.

Highlighting health innovation, Fernanda De Negri from the Ministry of Health pointed to initiatives such as the National Genomics Project as essential for integrating research with practical innovation to address public health challenges.

In parallel, Diego Menezes was re-elected as president of the Brazilian Association of Technological and Innovation Research Institutions (ABIPTI) for the 2026-2028 term. Menezes's agenda focuses on embedding science, technology, and innovation as permanent elements of state policy. Despite Brazil ranking 14th worldwide in scientific production, it stands 52nd in the Global Innovation Index, illustrating a significant gap in transforming scientific discoveries into economic growth.

Menezes outlined plans to deepen institutional dialogues with Congress, federal government, and industry to strengthen the role of scientific institutions in both policy execution and formulation. He called for a strong, predictable National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) to support applied research and technology transfer. His team also aims to streamline bureaucratic processes, diversify funding, and increase ABIPTI's presence in strategic scientific councils.

Together, these efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to bolstering Brazil's innovation ecosystem through enhanced investment, governance, and institutional collaboration, in line with President Lula's call for a comprehensive scientific plan.