Prêmio Finep de Inovação Celebrates Return and Boosts Science Across Brazil with R$3.3 Billion Investment

The 2025 edition of the Prêmio Finep de Inovação marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 10th year since revival with an impactful award ceremony held in Brasília on October 17, 2025. Organized by the Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (Finep) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the event recognized 40 innovative projects funded between 2023 and 2024, spotlighting advances in Brazilian science and technology with nationwide reach.

The awards covered nine categories plus a special recognition for female scientists, the 'Niède Guidon' prize, underscoring diversity and inclusion in scientific progress. Projects from all five Brazilian regions were honored, encompassing both private companies and public universities. Initiatives addressed critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, health innovations, bioeconomy, digital transformation, defense, decarbonization, and solutions tailored to the Amazon region.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, emphasized the transformative capacity of these projects, stating they represent Brazil's ability to produce high-impact technological solutions that contribute to a fairer and more sustainable country. She highlighted that the awards promote the decentralization of science funding and support integration between academic research and productive development, which is vital for national sovereignty.

Among the notable initiatives were sustainable agro-industrial technology by Ourofino Saúde Animal, gene therapies for neurological diseases by PUC-RS, early Alzheimer's diagnosis technologies, mobility solutions adapted for the Amazon by Aeroviver, and green hydrogen production developed by Clark Tecnologia Química. Gabriel Inhamuns, representing awardee company Klar, shared that Finep's support was crucial for advancing their Digital Biobank project, Nuclearis, from concept to commercial success.

Finep President Luiz Antônio Elias praised the role of Brazilian innovation in transforming key economic sectors, generating skilled employment, and addressing inequalities. In line with these goals, Finep announced the "Finep pelo Brasil" initiative, which plans 100 meetings nationwide to present 13 new funding calls totaling R$3.3 billion. This substantial investment aims to further technological modernization and sustain Brazil’s knowledge-based reindustrialization efforts.

Together, these developments reaffirm the Brazilian government's commitment to positioning science and innovation at the center of the country's sustainable development strategy, with public financing playing a vital role in nurturing emerging technologies with significant social and economic impact.