In an effort to enhance knowledge and develop technological solutions addressing the challenges of beef production in Brazil, the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT – Gado de Corte) project has recently received approval from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). This initiative is spearheaded by researcher Rodrigo da Costa Gomes from Embrapa and professor Dalton Henrique Pereira from the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT).
The project boasts a budget of approximately R$ 13.5 million, earmarked for various goals aimed at improving the efficiency and resilience of Brazilian cattle herds against climatic and environmental challenges. According to Gomes, "We expect to evolve the process of animal genetic improvement and also reproductive practices to promote efficiency and resilience of Brazilian beef cattle against the climatic and environmental challenges imposed."
To achieve these objectives, the team has established 40 specific goals, which include the development of forage cultivars, bioinputs, sustainable intensification production systems, and technologies for disease surveillance and sanitary inspection. The INCT will be structured around six research and development (PD&I) networks that will focus on pastures, strategic intelligence, animal health, genetic improvement, reproduction, and decarbonization.
Three of these networks will be led by Embrapa Gado de Corte, while the remaining three will be managed by the Federal Universities of Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul. The initiative involves collaboration among 16 universities, two research institutes, and a total of 131 professionals, including researchers from both Brazil and abroad. Antonio Rosa, head of Embrapa Gado de Corte, emphasized the importance of this approval, stating, "The approval of INCT – Gado de Corte is a clear demonstration of the technical competence, capacity for articulation, and leadership of the Company and its partners."
The project will be guided by a management committee comprising notable figures from the research community, including Ériklis Nogueira (Embrapa), Fábio Toral (UFMG), and Gilberto Menezes (Embrapa), among others. This committee will also include specialists from various Federal Universities and other research institutions, such as the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and Kansas State University in the United States, ensuring a broad spectrum of expertise over the five-year development period.
The call for proposals to finance new INCTs was launched in October 2024 by the Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (MCTI), in partnership with CNPq, CAPES, the Ministry of Health, and state research foundations. This initiative is part of a broader effort that has seen over 100 institutes funded since the program's inception in 2008, contributing significantly to advancements in fields such as medicine, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.
The National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) program stands as a crucial pillar for research funding in Brazil, designed to stimulate cutting-edge science and develop strategic technologies for the country. Each INCT operates as a collaborative network, bringing together universities, research centers, and companies around priority themes. The structure facilitates consortia of institutions distributed nationwide, integrating specialists from diverse fields into multidisciplinary projects.
These networks are approved through competitive calls and receive funding for periods of up to ten years, enabling long-term research endeavors across various domains, including biotechnology, health, renewable energy, environmental science, information technology, sustainable agriculture, and advanced materials.
One of the distinguishing features of the INCTs is their tripartite objective: to produce excellent science (demonstrated through publications and patents), to train highly qualified human resources (through postgraduate and postdoctoral programs), and to promote technology transfer to the productive sector. This integrated approach ensures that scientific advancements move beyond laboratory walls and reach society through new products, public policies, and solutions to national challenges.
In a different but equally significant development, the Semana de Inovação e Metodologias Integradas a Tecnologias (SIMITec) project, organized by the Escola Cidadã Integral Técnica (ECIT) Márcia Guedes in Belém, was selected under Call No. 37/2024 of the CNPq’s Science Fairs and Scientific Exhibitions. This initiative will receive R$ 32,770 thousand to fund scholarships for teachers and students, as well as to support the organization of SIMITec 2025, scheduled for September 8-12, 2025.
SIMITec was selected in LINE 4, which focuses on full-time schools in municipalities with populations of up to 100,000. The project aims to promote technical-scientific knowledge and socio-educational development among students through a program that includes lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. The initiative will select four student fellows for Junior Scientific Initiation (ICJ) and two teachers for Higher Level Technical Support (AT-NS) and Knowledge Dissemination Support (ADC-1C).
Professor Ginaldo Ribeiro, the project coordinator, expressed enthusiasm about the selection, noting, "We are the only public technical school approved in this selection and received a perfect score of 10 for this call for Science Fairs and Scientific Exhibitions." The school is currently awaiting guidance from CNPq to proceed with the selection of students and teachers.
Of the funds acquired through the selection, R$11 thousand will be allocated for general expenses of the event, while the remainder will support scholarships and cover costs for the selected team’s participation in a meeting with CNPq managers and co-financers in Brasília.
The CNPq’s Call No. 37/2024 aims to support projects that contribute to the development of scientific, technological, and innovative education in Brazil through the realization of science fairs and exhibitions. This initiative highlights the importance of fostering scientific inquiry and innovation among young learners, preparing them for future challenges in a rapidly evolving world.
