Organizing Questions
- Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding?
- What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
- Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
- Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
- How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policy-making/advocacy process, if at all?
- When are science funding/policy decisions made?
- What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
1. Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding? (e.g., national/local governments; private funding/foundations/charity groups; large non-governmental organizations (NGOs); industry/pharmaceutical companies)
- National government
The most important one is the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). It is part of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation from the Federal Government. All states also have a local research funding agency (FAPs - Fundações de Amparo à Pesquisa). The most prominent is in the state of São Paulo called the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) which provides more resources than the CNPq.
- Industry/pharmaceutical companies
Pharmaceutical companies provide some funding on specific topics but are mostly linked to their specific interests.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities
2. What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
Peer review is the methodology of all agencies that invite scientists to constitute their board of experts. For pharmaceutical companies, the decision is internal.
3. Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
Patient advocacy groups in Brazil are not common. There are some groups consisting of glaucoma patients and there are some others, but none of them participate in promoting research and advocating for research funding.
4. Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
Yes, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP). FINEP is specifically aimed at projects linked to industry and universities. There is also Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). CAPES aims to drive research in Brazil, providing mostly fellowships and evaluating the quality of research of each institution.
In addition, the Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência (Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) is a nonprofit organization composed of scientists to promote scientific and technological advances as well as impact education in Brazil.
5. How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policymaking/advocacy process, if at all?
Researchers from different universities and research institutes are board members of all funding institutions (CNPq, CAPES, FINEP and FAPs from all Brazilian states).
6. When are science funding/policy decisions made?
It depends on the institution. CNPq, for example, has an annual calendar for specific topics chosen by the institution and universal open topics. Most FAPs have their specific calendar according to local programs. FAPESP does not have a defined schedule and proposals can be submitted anytime during the year.
7. What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
- Can scientists invite decision-makers to their lab/institution to see their work firsthand?
Yes, they could but it is not common practice.
- Do the funding/policy organizations hold open meetings or solicit comments from the public that researchers can participate in?
Yes. The process is very democratic although funding policies still must improve to reach a competitive level when compared globally.
Contributors
Augusto Paranhos Jr., MD, FARVO, Federal University of Sao Paulo
Mariana S. Silveira, PhD, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Updated April 2024