Brazil’s Scientific Output Sees Rebound in 2024, Backed by Strategic Role of Fapemig

Brazil experienced a 4.5% increase in scientific production in 2024, publishing over 73,000 articles, according to a report by Elsevier and the scientific news agency Bori. This marks a rebound after two years of decline, though output remains below 2021’s peak of 82,440 publications. The natural sciences continue to lead, with engineering and technology showing the fastest growth at 7.1%. Additionally, 29 of 32 major research institutions in Brazil increased their publication numbers, with notable rises at the Federal Universities of Pelotas, Santa Catarina, and Espírito Santo. Globally, Brazil ranked 39th in growth rate, comparable to countries like Switzerland and South Korea, even as its momentum has slowed since 2016.

Complementing this scientific resurgence, the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Fapemig) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025 with a showcase of its strategic contributions to science and socioeconomic development across Minas Gerais. Fapemig’s model integrates public sectors, universities, and private enterprise to foster innovation and reduce regional inequalities. Initiatives like the "Inspirational Projects" series demonstrated diverse local applications of research—from animal nutrition in Zona da Mata, to cacao cultivation in semi-arid northern Minas, specialty coffee in Triângulo Mineiro, and 5G/6G network development in the south.

Highlighting Fapemig’s impact, the Calixcoca vaccine developed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais recently received national patent approval, underscoring advances in health technology. The foundation’s Inova Minas event attracted about 7,000 attendees, offering public engagement with 30 research projects and national science initiatives. Fapemig has evolved into a key vehicle for transforming scientific ideas into economic and social realities, actively contributing to Brazil’s scientific sovereignty and innovation frameworks.

According to Fapemig’s president, Carlos Arruda, the foundation’s legacy and future focus lie in maintaining the competitiveness of Minas Gerais’s science while addressing practical population needs. The organization’s role is now far beyond funding—it is a central actor in Brazil’s broader efforts to strengthen its scientific production and foster technological progress regionally and nationally.