- Public call includes support for the implementation of new centers and the expansion of existing research and development centers in the country
- Proposals must be related to the missions of Nova Indústria Brasil
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Study and Project Financing Agency (Finep) launch, this Thursday, February 20, in Campinas (SP), public call to select proposals for the attraction, implementation or expansion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RD&I) Centers in Brazil.
In addition to Brazilian companies, the public call is open to receiving proposals from foreign companies that want to bring technological skills to Brazil. This is a great opportunity for companies from all over the world to look at and invest in the opportunities that Brazil offers.
R&D&I centers are facilities that include laboratories, pilot plants, demonstration plants and other facilities for exclusive use for research, technological development and innovation activities. Activities include basic and applied research, product development, testing and validation, as well as collaboration with universities and other institutions.
THE public call has a budget of R$1.4 billion to support the centers with credit instruments, shareholding, non-reimbursable resources for cooperative projects between companies and technological institutions and economic subsidies, operated by BNDES or FINEP.
Proposals must include the implementation or expansion of R&D&I centers to carry out research, technological development and innovation activities related to at least one of the missions of the New Industry Brazil (NIB), the federal government's industrial development policy. They must also include the need for credit exceeding R$10 million for centers to be installed or expanded in the North and Northeast regions, and above R$20 million for the other regions. The deadline for execution of proposals may be up to 36 months.
“The centers accelerate the launch of new or improved products and services, increasing the competitiveness, complexity and diversification of the Brazilian economy. Brazil has relevant scientific expertise, trains qualified professionals, produces knowledge, has physical facilities and a diversity of research institutes. It occupies the 14th position in the world ranking (2023), but it still has a long way to go in transforming these assets into innovations by companies and in retaining talent”, explains the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante.
“Innovation is one of the pillars of neo-industrialization. In 2024, we will move up 4 positions in the global innovation ranking. The public call from BNDES and Finep will encourage our companies to follow this path, investing in research and development; improving our products and processes; and generating jobs and income in Brazil,” explains the Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Geraldo Alckmin.
Brazil ranks 49th out of 132 countries in the 2023 Global Innovation Index (GII). Despite the progress, the ranking is still considered low in relation to the potential of the country, which is among the ten largest economies in the world.
“This is yet another important incentive action to encourage investments that promote the country’s technological and economic development. R&D&I centers play a central role in attracting and maintaining qualified jobs that raise income levels and economic complexity. Large research centers also attract an entire qualified chain of suppliers that generate a virtuous cycle of growth and innovation,” said Finep president Celso Pansera.
R&D&I in the world – Government incentives for R&D activities play an important role in attracting multinational companies to research centres, and vary significantly between countries. China and India have direct incentives and targeted incentives for specific sectors, such as electronics and pharmaceuticals. Japan and the Netherlands offer tax breaks. In the UK, companies, especially micro, small and medium-sized companies, can obtain R&D tax incentives of up to 175%, while large companies receive 130%, with the option of using future credits or receiving reimbursements of up to 24% of eligible expenditure.
Watch the webinar about this public call here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_I-Qi2bp5k
