CNPq Marks 75 Years with Major Boost in Brazil's Science Funding and Technological Sovereignty
The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) celebrates 75 years with a record R$ 7.9 billion investment plan and new initiatives to boost Brazil's scientific research and technological sovereignty.
- • CNPq commemorates 75 years of fostering science and innovation in Brazil.
- • Investment for 2023-2025 reaches R$ 7.9 billion, a 42% increase from previous periods.
- • 98,000 scholarships awarded in 2025, with over half going to women.
- • New initiatives include the Profix program and State Networks for Popularization of Science, supporting diversity and knowledge dissemination.
Key details
On March 23, 2026, a significant ceremony in Brasília celebrated the 75th anniversary of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), a pivotal institution in Brazilian science and technology. Linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), CNPq currently supports close to 100,000 active scholarships and operates with an unprecedented investment of R$ 7.9 billion planned from 2023 to 2025, signaling one of the largest recent funding cycles for Brazilian research.
Minister Luciana Santos underscored the historical and transformative role of CNPq, highlighting its commitment to turning individual talents into public policy and knowledge as a foundation for national development. This funding surge reflects a 42% increase compared to previous periods, with 98,000 scholarships awarded in 2025 alone—a 25% growth since 2022—and over half of these scholarships granted to women, underscoring the agency's progress toward inclusion and diversity.
New initiatives announced at the event include the Profix program, which allocates R$ 648 million to retain young doctors in Brazil, aiming to curb brain drain. Additionally, the establishment of State Networks for the Popularization of Science, supported by R$ 300 million, seeks to spread scientific knowledge and strengthen scientific culture across the country. CNPq also continues to back the National Institutes of Science and Technology and the Universal Call for research funding, which has dedicated R$ 750 million in 2023 and 2024.
Founded in 1951, CNPq has been integral in developing Brazil's research infrastructure, financing projects and human resource training across diverse fields. The agency has evolved to address contemporary challenges, including enhancing diversity and inclusion within the scientific community. Looking forward to 2026, CNPq aims to implement a new National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation focused on technological sovereignty. This strategy emphasizes translating plans into actionable outcomes to secure Brazil's leadership in strategic scientific and technological areas.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Percentage increase in funding actions
Sources report conflicting percentage increases in funding actions from 2023 to 2025.
sounews.com.br
"The funding has led to significant increases in scholarships, with 98,000 awarded in 2025, a 25% rise from 2022."
gov.br
"Recent collaborations have led to a 42% rise in funding actions from 2023 to 2025."
Why this matters: One source states a 25% rise in scholarships awarded, while the other claims a 42% rise in funding actions. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the scale of investment in scientific research.