Brazilian Science and Technology Face Critical Challenges Ahead of 2026 Elections
Brazil's science and technology sectors face political and funding challenges ahead of the 2026 elections, with renewed innovation efforts and calls for sustained investment.
- • Brazil's science sector is recovering from previous anti-science policies that cut funding and caused talent loss.
- • Francilene Garcia of SBPC highlights risks to national sovereignty due to foreign control of scientific data.
- • Consistent funding and integration of science in public policy are critical for Brazil's future.
- • Programa Centelha III in Rondônia recorded a 48.58% increase in submissions, emphasizing AI and socio-environmental projects.
Key details
As Brazil approaches its 2026 elections, the nation's science and technology sectors confront significant challenges amid a tense political climate, according to Francilene Garcia, president of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC). Garcia emphasizes the lingering effects of the prior government's anti-science policies from 2019 to 2022, which resulted in funding cuts, a talent exodus, and weakened international standing. However, since 2023, increased funding and renewed attention to science in public policy have started reversing these trends, with many researchers returning.
Garcia warns of risks to national sovereignty due to scientific data being stored abroad and highlights the urgent need for a national data infrastructure. This infrastructure would safeguard Brazil's scientific knowledge and support autonomous decision-making, especially as the country positions itself critically in discussions around global climate change and technological development ahead of COP30. She also stresses the necessity of long-term planning and establishing consistent, predictable budgets for science and technology, viewing these as essential state priorities rather than tools for short-term political gain.
In parallel, innovation initiatives show promising growth. The Programa Centelha III in Rondônia recently achieved a record-breaking 367 project submissions—a 48.58% increase over the previous year—demonstrating growing entrepreneurship within Brazil’s innovation ecosystem. Governor Marcos Rocha accentuates the program's role in turning ideas into tech-based businesses. The program supports projects financially with R$80,000 economic subsidies and R$50,000 in technical support per project. Notably, 101 submissions targeted artificial intelligence and machine learning, while 65 focused on socio-environmental impacts, aligning with Brazil's sustainable development priorities.
Together, these developments define a pivotal moment for Brazilian science and technology. The SBPC actively advocates for sustained investment and integration of science in public policy to solidify gains and chart a resilient course forward. Brazil's ability to balance scientific sovereignty, funding stability, and innovation growth will be critical as it confronts global challenges and electoral shifts in 2026.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
