Three notices launched this Thursday (14) will benefit university laboratory parks, research centers and science and technology institutions
Photo: Luara Baggi
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep) launched three calls for proposals worth a total of R$ 1.2 billion to recover and expand the country's research infrastructure. The resources from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) will include university laboratory parks, research centers and science and technology institutions (ICTs). The notices are part of Pró-Infra, one of the 10 Structuring and Mobilizing Programs of the FNDCT. The announcement was made this Thursday (14) by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, in a ceremony at the National Association of Directors of Federal Higher Education Institutions (Andifes), in Brasília.
One of the notices, worth R$ 200 million, will select projects for the recovery and modernization of ICT laboratory parks. Another notice will allocate R$ 500 million for the expansion of university laboratories and research centers, which will be able to acquire new equipment or carry out necessary works. Finally, the third notice will allocate R$ 500 million to Science and Technology Institutions that develop projects in five priority areas for national development: Health, Defense, Energy Transition, Ecological Transition and Digital Transformation.
“Our objective is to put Brazil in a position to develop cutting-edge scientific and technological projects. Therefore, Pró-Infra has the perspective of rescuing and strengthening the capacity of our institutions to produce quality science and the necessary technology to help the country grow and generate jobs and income”, highlighted Minister Luciana Santos.
According to her, 30% of the resources foreseen in the notices will be directed to projects located in the North, Northeast and Central-West regions. “The notices we launched today seek to correct the asymmetry between research infrastructures located in different regions of the country. With this initiative, we hope to decentralize the technological base and reduce regional differences.”
The president of Finep, Celso Pansera, explained that a new system will come into operation in February to monitor calls. “It will be friendlier, more intelligent and with fewer requirements for project registration. These notices will remain open until April 2024,” said Pansera.
