Brazilian Scientific and Educational Institutions Rally Behind Lula's 2026 Re-election Bid

Fifteen prominent Brazilian institutions dedicated to scientific research, technology, and higher education have publicly declared their support for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's re-election in the upcoming 2026 presidential election. In a manifesto released over the weekend, these entities stressed the critical importance of maintaining robust public investment and consistent policies in education, science, and technology to secure Brazil's socio-economic development and sovereignty.

The manifesto highlights the indispensable role of knowledge in sectors such as health, agriculture, and industry, emphasizing that these concerns transcend academia and have wide-reaching implications for the entire population. The institutions advocate for the autonomy and strength of educational and research bodies, alongside government commitment to steady funding aimed at ensuring accessibility and student retention.

Moreover, the signatories reaffirm their dedication to democratic principles, respect for the constitution, and the sovereignty of the popular vote. To foster societal engagement around these issues and the electoral process, they have called for instituting a National Day of Education and Science on October 15.

In the agricultural domain, the technological advancements supported by Lula’s administration, through institutions such as Embrapa, focus on biotechnology, genomic editing, and the development of climate-resilient crops, which includes implementing a national climate resilience program. This approach contrasts with adversary candidate Flávio Bolsonaro's proposals, which, while recognizing the importance of innovation, lack detailed commitments regarding agricultural research. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA) emphasize the necessity of stable investments in agricultural science and innovation to sustain Brazil’s competitiveness.

This broad endorsement from scientific and educational institutions underscores the high stakes of the 2026 election in preserving and advancing Brazil’s scientific and educational framework, tying Lula’s continued leadership to sustained progress and national sovereignty in these sectors.