Lula government blocked R$86 million from Capes in August, say research entities

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The body is responsible for evaluating and promoting master’s and doctoral courses and scholarships. Another R$50 million was definitively cut, says Capes president. Until the last update of this report, the MEC, responsible for the entity, had not commented. Headquarters of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes) in Brasília Marcello Casal Jr./Agência Brasil In a hearing organized by the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC) last week, representatives of research bodies expressed concern about the situation financial situation of Capes (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), after significant budgetary blockages ordered by the Lula government. According to Mercedes Bustamante, president of Capes, the entity, which is responsible for stricto sensu postgraduate courses (master’s, doctorate and post-doctorate) in the country, suffered: a blockage of R$86 million in the August budget; a cut (i.e., a definitive block) of R$50 million this year; a probable deficit of R$200 million in the budget scheduled for 2024. “What worries me is that the contingency could be the first step towards something more critical”, stated Bustamante, during the event. Until the last update of this report, the Ministry of Education (MEC), responsible for Capes’ budget execution, had not commented. g1 also contacted Capes itself, to find out if there is a risk of freezing or delay in the payment of research grants, and is awaiting a position. In February, the Lula government had readjusted benefit values ​​for the first time since 2013: Master’s degree: from R$1,500 to R$2,100 (40% increase) Doctorate: from R$2,200 to R$3,100 (40%) Postgraduate doctorate: from R$4,100 to R$5,200 (25%) Training of masters and doctors may be jeopardized In an open letter, the National Forum of Pro-Rectors of Research and Postgraduate Studies (Foprop), which represents 273 educational institutions, states that he follows the blockades with “deep consternation”. “It is not possible to reconcile a system that grows and offers quality courses with a budget that constantly decreases”, says the document. “The recent blockages/cuts directly impact the quality of training for masters and doctors, thus harming the production of scientific knowledge and the capacity of institutions […] to compete internationally in the field of research and innovation.” According to Foprop, budget reductions make it difficult to resume initiatives such as the National Post-Doctoral Program (PNPD) and Pró-Equipamentos (aimed at improving the scientific research structure and technological). It also creates obstacles for Capes to handle 300 new courses/programs that will enter the national postgraduate system in 2024. Video In July, Capes relaxed the rule on the accumulation of postgraduate scholarships. Understand in the video below: Understand the new Capes standards for postgraduate scholarships

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