Paraná Modernizes and Expands State Science and Technology Award in 2025
Paraná's Science and Technology Award has been modernized and expanded in 2025, increasing categories and aligning with state innovation policies to better support scientific progress.
- • Governor Ratinho Junior signed a decree modernizing the Paraná Science and Technology Award.
- • Award categories expanded from five to ten to better represent scientific diversity.
- • The award now emphasizes universities' role in research, innovation, and dissemination.
- • The modernization aligns with Paraná's 2024-2030 State Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Key details
Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior signed Decree No. 12.098 on December 3, 2025, revamping the Paraná Science and Technology Award, the state's principal recognition for scientific and technological contributions. The reform expands the award's categories from five to ten, encompassing Senior Researcher, Extensionist, Young Researcher, University Student, Independent Inventor, Scientific Journalism, Innovative Pedagogical Practices, Academic Trajectories of Excellence, Friend of Science, and Scientific Disseminator. This expansion aims to better reflect the diversity of Paraná's scientific ecosystem.
Renamed the Paraná Science, Technology, and Higher Education Award, the honor now emphasizes the integral role of universities in education, research, innovation, and dissemination of science. This modernization aligns closely with Paraná’s 2024-2030 State Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (Pecti) and related frameworks such as the Legal Framework for Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Paraná Fund that supports scientific promotion.
Starting with the 39th edition in 2026, each award cycle will specify knowledge areas and evaluation criteria, adapting to the evolving scientific landscape. Financial prizes will be awarded according to specific announcements, except for Friend of Science and Scientific Disseminator categories, which receive institutional recognition. Independent expert committees will select winners to ensure impartiality and diversity. Secretary Aldo Nelson Bona described the update as a significant advancement aligning the award with state science policy guidelines, while Director Marcos Aurélio Pelegrina highlighted its strategic role in boosting scientific production and university-society integration.
The 38th edition in 2025 granted R$ 228,350 among ten winners from five categories with 117 submissions, 95 approved, illustrating the award's established prestige and growing reach. Overall, this decree marks a strategic enhancement to Paraná's support and celebration of scientific and technological innovation in the state.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.