Resumed after a decade, the award recognizes innovative projects from all regions and reinforces the role of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) in strengthening science, technology and innovation in the country.
The national stage brought together 40 finalist projects, selected over five regional stages held between September and November 2025. Photo: Luara Baggi/MCTI
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) celebrated, this Tuesday (17), the delivery of the trophies of the national stage of the Finep Innovation Award 2025, in a ceremony held at the Itamaraty Palace, in Brasília. Promoted by the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (Finep), an institution linked to the ministry, the initiative recognizes outstanding projects in nine strategic categories, reinforcing the role of MCTI in promoting innovation and scientific and technological development in the country.
The national stage brought together 40 finalist projects, selected over five regional stages held between September and November 2025. In total, 116 initiatives were awarded prizes in the regional phases, highlighting the diversity and reach of the national science, technology and innovation system.
According to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Luciana Santos, the award highlights the potential of Brazilian science. "Here are the best and most daring projects supported by the Ministry and Finep, a concrete demonstration of Brazil's capacity to produce high-impact technological solutions for the strategic challenges of our time.".
Associate Professor Luiz Gustavo Cançado, from the Physics Department of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, won the "R&D Infrastructure in ICTs" category with his project for an ophthalmoscope that enables the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. According to him, public support is fundamental to the project. "We have a very robust science system with CNPq, CAPES, Finep, and MCTI that makes it possible to advance in the areas of science and technology and to disseminate this knowledge to the Brazilian population," he stated.
According to the President of Finep, Luiz Antônio Elias, the award is an important recognition for researchers and companies throughout Brazil. "The Finep Innovation Award fulfills the role of giving visibility to what Brazil has best to offer: the creativity, scientific competence, and boldness of our entrepreneurs," he emphasized.
O Award
Resumed after a decade, the Finep Innovation Award gives visibility to innovative initiatives from all regions of Brazil. Companies, startups, scientific and technological institutions (ICTs), and innovation ecosystems that develop solutions in the areas of sustainable agro-industry, bioeconomy, health, national defense, digital transformation, infrastructure, Deep Tech, and research and development are eligible to compete.
The 2025 edition of the Finep Innovation Award included a special highlight for the Best Project Coordinated by Women. The Niède Guidon award, which honors the Brazilian archaeologist, researcher, and professor, went to the Cell4vision project, creator of a biological platform of stem cells in biomimetic nano scaffolds for regenerative treatments in ophthalmology. For the project coordinator, Dr. Marize Campos Valadares, the award values the work of women in science and is a form of motivation for other women. “I lead a large group of women scientists, and this moment will make them feel like they belong, they will know that they can be here too. This award is an inspiration for young female researchers,” she celebrated.
Check out the other winners:
Category: Health Industrial Economic Complex
Winner: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
Project: Target-specific platform for gene editing in neurons with motor gene mutations from individuals with epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Category: Sustainable Infrastructure, Sanitation, Housing and Mobility
Winner: Startup Aeroriver
Project: The Flying Boat – Development of a ground-effect vehicle for operation in the Amazon.
Category: Digital Transformation of Industry to Increase Productivity
Winner: Digital Biobanks
Project: Platform for epidemiological management and personalized medicine of Nuclearis Sistemas em Medicina Nuclear, ltda.
Category: Bioeconomy, Decarbonization, Energy Transition and Security
Winner: Clark Chemical Technology, Industry and Commerce
Project: Development of alkaline water electrolyzers for hydrogen production from renewable electricity sources.
Deep-Tech Category:
Winner: Nintx Research and Development
Project: Pre-clinical development of a multi-target therapy with global reach based on Brazilian biodiversity against inflammatory bowel diseases.
Innovation Environment Category:
Winner: Porto Digital
Project: Consolidation Project for the Creativity Warehouse
Category: R&D Infrastructure in ICTs
Winner: Federal University of Minas Gerais/Institute of Exact Sciences
Project: Laboratory of optical instrumentation applied to healthcare
Category: Technologies of interest to National Sovereignty and Defense:
Winner: Visiona Space Technology
Project: Small-scale, ultra-high-resolution observation satellite, utilizing super-resolution techniques and data collection and fusion systems.
