Paraná Announces Record R$ 4.65 Billion Budget for Science and Technology in 2026
Paraná commits a record R$ 4.65 billion in 2026 to boost science, technology, and state universities, including major infrastructure investments and strategic innovation projects.
- • Paraná allocates R$ 4.65 billion for science and technology in 2026, an 8.22% increase over 2025.
- • R$ 3.8 billion of the budget supports seven state universities, benefiting 82,000 undergraduate students.
- • R$ 570 million earmarked for infrastructure and equipment, a 41% increase from the previous year.
- • Tecpar receives R$ 40.8 million for a new Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory to open by May 2026.
Key details
Paraná is set to allocate a historic R$ 4.65 billion to science, technology, and innovation in 2026, marking an 8.22% increase over the 2025 budget of R$ 4.3 billion. Managed by the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Education (SETI), this funding prioritizes state universities, infrastructure, and pioneering research initiatives.
Of the total budget, R$ 3.8 billion will directly support the state’s seven public universities, benefiting approximately 82,000 undergraduate students. This allocation aligns with Paraná’s constitutional mandate to dedicate 2% of its tax revenue to science and technology. State officials highlighted that investing in these universities bolsters innovation and improves educational quality, contributing to Paraná's outstanding higher education enrollment rate, the second highest in Brazil, with 26.7% of young adults aged 18 to 24 enrolled.
Significantly, R$ 570 million is earmarked for infrastructure and equipment—a sharp 41% rise from the previous year—funding projects in artificial intelligence, genomics, precision agriculture, and applied innovation through the Fundo Paraná. The Technology Institute of Paraná (Tecpar) will receive R$ 40.8 million for the establishment of a new Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory, slated for completion in May 2026, which will produce crucial diagnostic inputs for animal diseases, enhancing scientific self-sufficiency and supporting the state's agricultural sector.
Officials like Secretary of Finance Norberto Ortigara and SETI Secretary Aldo Bona emphasized that this record investment underscores the importance of science and technology for Paraná’s socio-economic development. Eduardo Marafon, president of Tecpar, noted that the veterinary lab will yield significant societal benefits, particularly in health and agricultural productivity.
Overall, Paraná’s 2026 budget sets a new benchmark, positioning the state as a national leader in scientific research, innovation, and higher education excellence.