CNPq: government should use R$1 billion to repatriate scientists – 04/12/2024 – Science

The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) intends to invest R$1 billion to repatriate around a thousand Brazilian scientists living abroad, he told Sheet the president of CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), Ricardo Galvão.

According to a preliminary estimate from MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), to which the body is linked, there are currently 35 thousand Brazilian researchers with master’s and doctorate degrees living outside the country.

The idea is to provide these researchers with financial incentives to return and settle in Brazil, reducing the “brain drain” — when scientists who do their academic training in the country, partially or entirely, settle in other nations and, as a result, , knowledge is not converted into scientific and technological advancement for the country of origin.

“In relation to the diaspora, I don’t like to call it ‘brain drain’ because the brain is in the person’s head, but we did a very preliminary survey and arrived at around 35 thousand Brazilians [fazendo pesquisa fora]”, said Galvão. “We launched a proposal to the FNDCT and we would like to attract them back or, those who don’t come, who have a collaboration channel with Brazil.”

The FNDCT (National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development) is responsible for establishing the sectoral funds of the federal budget. The expectation is that R$400 million will be released this year and the remainder by 2026.

The money, according to the CNPq, will be invested over three years by the council and the Finep agency (Financier of Studies and Projects) in two calls launched simultaneously. For now, however, there is no date for the launch of these calls, stated the CNPq.

The project, called Knowledge Brazil Program, provides that researchers will receive special grants to settle in universities and institutes in the country – worth R$ 13 thousand per month, equivalent to the salary of an assistant professor at federal universities – and funds of up to R$400,000 for the creation of laboratories.

There is also the intention that repatriated researchers work in companies. “There is no point in having science being done only in research institutions, because then the country will not advance. We need doctors in companies that promote innovation and technological development based on modern scientific knowledge”, said Galvão.

OTHER PROGRAMS

In addition to the repatriation of scientists, the CNPq says it seeks to promote the inclusion of girls and women in science, especially in areas known as STEM — an acronym in English for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

At the beginning of the year, the council launched a notice for sandwich doctorate scholarships abroad and post-doctoral studies worth R$6 million for black, indigenous, quilombola and gypsy researchers, regularly enrolled in doctoral courses recognized by Capes or who have completed postgraduate programs recognized by Capes in any area of ​​knowledge.

According to CNPq, 537 applications were received for the notice. The preliminary result will be released on the 30th of this month. The exchange will begin in the second half of this year.

Another initiative, launched in March, was the Women in Science program, in partnership with MCTI and the Ministry of Women.

With resources of around R$100 million, the target audience is girls enrolled in the 8th and 9th year of basic education in public schools and in undergraduate courses in the areas of exact sciences, engineering and computing. Proposals can be submitted until the 29th of this month. The expectation is to invest R$20 million in 2024.

The incentive comes from a recognition of the disparity between men and women who receive scholarships from the organization. According to a survey, women receiving PQ scholarships, as productivity and research scholarships are called, have stagnated at 36% for 20 years.

“We want to start at the base, with scientific initiation scholarships, because there is no point in increasing the number of scholarships at the end of your career [para professoras], if there is no demand. We want to encourage women to enter the field of exact sciences, engineering and computing. This is not only a question of social justice, but because society as a whole loses a lot [sem mais mulheres e meninas na ciência]”, stated Galvão.