MEC releases 3,182 new research grants

Together with the Ministry of Economy and the Civil House, the Ministry of Education (MEC) coordinated the release of 3, 182 new scholarships for the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes).

The investment will go to Capes' top-rated programs, totaling $ 22, 466, 654 for 2019. The choice of programs to receive the new scholarships was made based on relevance, according to Minister Abraham Weintraub. "These are the scholarships of the programs with the highest grades, because they are the ones with the highest return to society, " said the economist.

The award of the new scholarships came amid the protest of students and researchers from all over the country, who defend the importance of fostering science in Brazil. Still in early September, the lack of funds indicated that new researchers would not benefit from Capes in 2019.

Prior to the release of new scholarships, Capes had informed that the 2020 budget would be reduced by 50%. Now, with the new contribution, the forecast is $ 600 million more for next year. Thus, the total value will rise from $ 2.45 billion to about $ 3 billion.

CNPq budget crisis

It's not just Capes that faces budget problems for new research. The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) is in danger of suspending scholarships in the coming months due to the low budget, the lowest since 2010.

In July of this year, the entity alleged lack of funds by suspending the second phase of a notice for new postgraduate scholarships. Even the payment of nearly 80, 000 scholarships is still at risk.