Brazil Unveils Ambitious Decadal Plan to Boost Science and Innovation by 2034

Brazil's government has announced a new Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation, outlining strategic goals and budget forecasts to shape the country's scientific development over the next 15 years. The announcement was made by Minister Luciana Santos at the 78th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC) on July 29, 2026, following a call from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a structured, goal-oriented plan.

This Decadal Plan builds on the recently formalized National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation 2024-2034 (ENCTI), established by Portaria nº 10.226. ENCTI was shaped during the 5th National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation in 2025 and aims to transform knowledge into societal solutions. Its four key goals include increasing national research and development (R&D) investment to 2% of Brazil's GDP by 2034, ensuring budget predictability through the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT), reducing technological dependencies, and strengthening collaboration between scientific research and Brazil's productive sectors.

Minister Santos emphasized the importance of technological autonomy to avoid vulnerabilities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that FNDCT funding has already facilitated R$ 55 billion in investments toward science and innovation. Complementing these efforts, an action plan to implement these strategies from 2027 to 2031 will be developed within 120 days by a working group composed of government officials, scientists, and academic representatives, including members from the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and Capes.

Francilene Garcia, president of SBPC, underscored the necessity of sustained and predictable funding for scientific advancement, stressing that science investment is critical for Brazil’s development rather than a mere expense.

The Decadal Plan presents a comprehensive framework to guide scientific policies, monitor progress, and foster greater integration of science and the productive economy, marking a decisive step in Brazil’s commitment to enhancing its national innovation capacity.