Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul Boost Science and Technology with Over R$ 3.9 Billion in Investments and Initiatives
Paraná invests R$ 609.7 million and Mato Grosso do Sul hosts Finep event with R$ 3.3 billion funding opportunities to boost science and technology innovation.
- • Paraná increased its science and technology funding by 4.8% in 2025, totaling R$ 609.7 million.
- • The Newton Freire Maia Science Park revitalization with R$ 47.3 million will include Latin America's most modern planetarium.
- • Mato Grosso do Sul will host the Finep Pelo Brasil program presenting R$ 3.3 billion in non-reimbursable innovation funding.
- • Event in Campo Grande offers guidance for proposal submissions and aims to boost access to national innovation policies.
Key details
On April 16, 2026, the Brazilian states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul announced significant advancements in funding and initiatives aimed at strengthening their science and technology ecosystems.
The Government of Paraná revealed that in 2025 it invested R$ 609.7 million in science and technology, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year’s R$ 581.6 million, as reported during the State Council of Science and Technology meeting at Fundação Araucária in Curitiba. The resources supported 7,065 scholarships and scientific projects that impacted all 399 municipalities of Paraná. This investment aligns with the State Policy of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Pecti-PR 2024-2030), focusing on human capital formation, scientific infrastructure, and fostering collaboration among universities, businesses, and government entities.
Key projects funded include the R$ 47.3 million revitalization of the Newton Freire Maia Science Park, which will feature Latin America's most modern planetarium, and the R$ 12 million Unidata project designed to integrate academic data management across seven state universities. Additionally, a new resolution was introduced instituting the Integrated Project Management System (Sigep) for improved transparency and efficiency in fund management. Secretary Aldo Nelson Bona emphasized the importance of sustained efforts in science development, stating that the leap from under R$ 80 million in 2019 to over R$ 600 million in 2025 is a record achievement for Paraná.
Meanwhile, Mato Grosso do Sul prepared to host the Finep Pelo Brasil program on April 17 in Campo Grande. This event, supported by the state government through Semadesc and Fundect, will present over R$ 3.3 billion in non-reimbursable funding opportunities for innovation to companies, startups, cooperatives, and research institutions. The program will offer guidance on proposal submissions, eligibility criteria, and direct interaction with Finep specialists.
Semadesc Secretary Artur Falcette highlighted that these efforts will enhance access to national innovation policies and strengthen the state's science and technology ecosystem. Executive Secretary Ricardo Senna added that collaboration with Finep is critical for aligning projects with regional vocations and productive sectors, improving technology development and resource acquisition.
Together, these initiatives represent a strategic push by both states to foster innovation, increase research capabilities, and connect financial resources with impactful scientific and technological projects.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Funding amounts for innovation
Sources report different funding amounts for innovation initiatives
semadesc.ms.gov.br
"total over R$ 3.3 billion in non-reimbursable resources available for companies of all sizes"
parana.pr.gov.br
"R$ 609.7 million were allocated in 2025"
Why this matters: The first source mentions R$ 3.3 billion available for innovation opportunities, while the second source reports R$ 609.7 million invested in science and technology. These figures represent different funding initiatives and could lead to confusion about the scale of investment in innovation across the regions.