Brazil's Ministry of Science Unveils Major Initiatives to Boost Scientific Infrastructure and Biodiversity Research

Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) is advancing two key initiatives to strengthen the national scientific ecosystem and support biodiversity through community research. On November 19, MCTI representatives finalized the Bolsa Conhecimento Brasil, a pioneering program designed to create an integrated network that addresses Brazil's strategic development challenges by fostering collaboration among research institutions and enhancing scientific infrastructure. This initiative will be officially launched at the 70th National Forum of Confap in early December and aims to bridge national and regional research demands, support emerging talents, and promote a networked scientific approach with social and economic impact.

In parallel, the Entre Ciências project, also coordinated by MCTI, has opened a call for proposals aimed at supporting community research arrangements focused on territorial management and biodiversity. With a dedicated budget of R$ 3.24 million, the project targets organizations representing traditional peoples and communities in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Proposals are due by January 31, 2026. This project, executed by the International Education Institute of Brazil (IEB) and backed by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasizes sustainable practices, climate change monitoring, and the protection of traditional knowledge. Funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented with the UN Environment Programme, at least six inter-scientific arrangements are expected to be selected to promote biodiversity conservation via community engagement.

Through these initiatives, MCTI demonstrates a strategic effort to integrate scientific development with community-based biodiversity conservation, marking a significant step forward in Brazil's science and innovation landscape.