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Artigos: Sobre Ciência no Brasil
Brazilian Science and Technology Internet Resources

The process of institutionalizing science & technology policy in Brazil started in the 1950's, at a time in which the Brazilian state increased its role in promoting industrial growth. In 1951, the National Research Council (CNPq), which later became the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) and the then-called Campaign for the Advanced Training of University-level Personnel (CAPES) were established. These initiatives were landmarks in the process of enhancing the value of scientific development through advanced training of researchers and strengthening of research groups. Governmental support for scientific and technological development started using two basic tools: fellowship and research funding.

The establishment of CNPq was linked to the more wide-ranging goal of promoting Brazilian industrialization. The Brazilian state was concerned at the time with the limited ability to absorb the new technologies that were then bein introduced into the country, as well as with developing and securing strategic sectors, such as that of nuclear technologies. The effort involved would only be feasible through support to research, both basic and applied. Originally, CNPq had the twin objectives of fostering the nation's science and technology capabilities, as well as of overseeing all activities involving the use of atomic energy in the country. Later, CNPq's role was widened to include establishing guidelines for Brazilian science and technology policy.

A second turning point occured in the 1960's, with the creation of additional institutions and administrative resources to respond to the growing demands of the science and technology sector, with a view to associate the country's resources in that area to its budding industrial base. With this purpose in mind, the National Bank for Economic Development (which later became "Economic and Social Development") was created in 1964 and started to support technological research by means of the Fund for Technical-Scientific Development (FUNTEC).

In 1969, FINEP - Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos was established under the purview of the Presidency's Secretariat for Planning. Its role was complementary to that of CNPq, focusing on creating new ways to help Brazilian companies. In the same year, the Government also established the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT), which FINEP currently manages with a view to funding projects and programs that are deemed to be national priorities.

In 1974, the National System for Scientific and Technological Development (SNDCT) was established. Its main goal was to foster the implementation of technology-oriented policy aimed at socio-economic development by means of scientific progress.

Several national plans for science and technology were designed and implemented through the 1970's and 1980's. This period saw the growth of planning for graduate training and research, as well as for technology-intensive activities. The worsening economic crises in the 1980's resulted in net losses for science- and technology-related funding, and the sector as a whole lost some of the strategic priority role it had been previously assigned.

The establishment of the Ministry for Science and Technology in 1985 aimed at reversing that situation, and it was also a milestone in the opening of a venue for wide-ranging dialogue between the federal government and the science and technology community. The Ministry's creation also signalled the Brazilian government's commitment to investing in Research & Development, and to devise and implement policies based on a science and technology strategy that serves the needs of Brazilian society and that enables the country to be competitive in a changing global economy.
For further information, write to the Brazilian Embassy's Science & Technology Section