Lula Commits Over R$ 55 Billion to Science with Ambitious 2034 Investment Goal
Brazil allocates over R$ 55 billion to science and technology through 2026, aiming for 2% of GDP investment by 2034 under Lula's leadership.
- • Brazil allocates R$ 55 billion to science and technology from 2023 to 2026.
- • Goal set to reach 2% of GDP investment in R&D by 2034.
- • FNDCT budget fully restored with R$ 10 billion credit reinstated.
- • Significant funding directed to less-developed regions to reduce inequalities.
- • Government to encourage private and international investments through incentives.
Key details
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a robust commitment to Brazil's scientific and technological development, highlighting an allocation of more than R$ 55 billion for science, technology, and innovation from 2023 through 2026. Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) in São Paulo, Lula outlined the government's strategic plan to increase research and development investment to 2% of Brazil's GDP by 2034.
The funding has already supported nearly 6,000 projects via the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT), which saw its budget fully restored, including a supplementary credit reinstating R$ 10 billion earmarked for the fund. About R$ 10.2 billion has been offered as non-reimbursable grants to scientific institutions, fostering projects critical to national innovation without repayment obligations. The government emphasized efforts to reduce regional disparities by channeling approximately R$ 3.2 billion to the North, Northeast, and Central-West regions, representing over 30% of total investments.
Since 2023, more than R$ 5.1 billion has been dedicated to improving research infrastructure at higher education institutions, including federal, state, municipal, private universities, and federal technological institutes, with significant investment targeting less-developed regions. Initiatives involve modernization of laboratories, acquisition of equipment, and enhancements in academic facilities.
Lula strongly criticized the treatment of education and science funding as expenses rather than investments, appealing for stable, long-term financing free from political volatility. Highlighting Brazil's historical exclusion of marginalized populations from education, he underscored the necessity of full-time schooling and expanded higher education opportunities.
Moreover, Lula linked scientific advancement to Brazil’s sovereignty over its natural resources. He rejected a development model relying solely on raw material export, citing the discovery of pre-salt oil fields as evidence of the vital role public research investment plays in unlocking the country’s wealth.
Recognizing that public funds alone are insufficient to meet the 2% GDP investment target, the government plans to incentivize greater private sector involvement through tax incentives, increased credit lines, and mechanisms to attract domestic and international capital. Proposed measures include risk-sharing instruments for large-scale projects with long-term returns.
This strategy reflects a comprehensive government effort to strengthen Brazil’s scientific production capabilities, reduce regional inequalities, and position the nation as a leader in innovation-driven industrial, health, energy, and digital sectors.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
