Policy background
Brazil and the EU share a long-standing relationship based on strong cultural and historical ties; Brazil was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the EU.
The EU-Brazil framework cooperation agreement (1992) governs relations. The Strategic Partnership in 2007 has upgraded this, leading to a significant widening of the scope of the cooperation, with several ongoing sectorial dialogues on
- agriculture
- intellectual property rights
- environment
- climate change
- air and maritime transport
- education
- drugs
- non-proliferation
- financial services
- science and technology
- energy
- space cooperation
The Agreement for Scientific and Technological (S&T) Cooperation between the European Union and Brazil on research and innovation (signed in 2004, into force in 2007 and renewed until 2022) is the main framework of the scientific collaboration. The S&T Agreement aims to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities in areas of common interest, based on the principles of mutual benefit, timely exchange of information, reciprocal access to activities and protection of intellectual property rights.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) signed a Cooperation Arrangement in January 2013. The agreement was renewed in March 2018 and it intends to strengthen cooperative activities in the areas of
- disaster prevention and crisis management
- climate change and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem services
- energy, including bioenergy and smart grids
- food security
- bioeconomy
- information and communication technologies (ICT)
- nanotechnologies
In October 2016, the European Commission and the Brazilian National Council of State Funding Agencies (CONFAP) signed an Implementing Arrangement (IA), to enhance cooperation between Brazilian researchers and teams funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The arrangement allows Brazilian researchers to undertake multiple short or one long term research visit to ERC-funded teams in Europe.
Cooperation on marine research and innovation
Brazil is a key partner in marine research and innovation cooperation, which is considered one of the EU-Brazil flagship initiatives.
Following the success of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation, the European Union, Brazil and South Africa co-signed the Belém Statement on Atlantic Research and Innovation Cooperation in July 2017, aimed at improving the scientific knowledge of marine ecosystems and the links between oceans and climate change, technology, food and energy systems.
The Belém Statement built on intensive work between Brazil and South Africa together with Argentina, Uruguay, Namibia and Angola – to which the European Union was closely associated. This resulted in the launch of the South-South Framework for Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the South and Tropical Atlantic and Southern Oceans.
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever with more than €90 billion of funding available over 7 years (2021 to 2027). It is open to the world, which means that participants from all over the world can participate in most calls.
International cooperation in Horizon Europe
Current priorities for bilateral cooperation
At the 10th EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee meeting (JSCM) on 24 March of 2021 both sides acknowledged the central role of research and innovation in the overall EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership. EU and Brazil highlighted the importance of enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with a focus on green, sustainable and digital transition and global health, in the context of the EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe (2021-2027).
Brazil underscored the importance of increasing efforts to include start-up companies in the framework of the bilateral cooperation in research and innovation.
The JSCM provided a clear convergence of interests in continuing and stepping up cooperation in
- energy: by continuing the good collaboration on sustainable biofuels and on Mission Innovation
- marine and water including with possible engagement in the new European Partnerships on A climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy and on Water Security for the Planet (Water4All)
- biodiversity: through the intense work on biodiversity topics, placing Brazil at the centre of the collaboration in biodiversity research between the European Research Area and Latin America and the Caribbean countries
- aviation: building on the excellent existing cooperation on safer, cleaner and faster aviation
- health: with the many multilateral initiatives where Brazil is present and with continued participation of Brazil in EU Covid-19 calls
- digital: with the inauguration of the BELLA cable in June 2021 and by working for developing future cooperation on many specific thematic areas
Research and innovation projects supported by the EEAS/FPI EU-BR Sector Dialogues Support Facility also contributed to scientific cooperation in 2020
- nature-based solutions (March 2020)
- global water challenges (March 2020)
- STI twinning cooperation (May 2020)
- innovation (June 2020)
Undoubtedly, research on Covid-19 was the main focus cooperation in research and innovation endeavours since the pandemic broke out. Cooperation in diagnosis, treatment and vaccines covered various interactions, information exchange, twinning of projects, participation in the Commission emergency calls and multilateral collaborative platforms.
Agreements and arrangements
- Belém Statement on Atlantic Research & Innovation Cooperation will enhance further collaboration scientific efforts in the Atlantic Ocean between the EU, Brazil and South Africa.
- CONFAP allows for Brazilian scientists to join research teams funded by the European Research Council (ERC). Brazilian researchers will be able to undertake short or long term research visits, and collaborate with ERC-funded teams, working across Europe.
- Agreement for cooperation (CA) between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil aims to intensify cooperation between the Parties in the areas covered by their respective fusion programs, on the basis of mutual benefit and overall reciprocity, in order to advance in developing fusion energy as future sustainable energy source.
- The Cooperation Arrangement between the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) intends to strengthen and further structure scientific and other cooperative activities in the areas of disaster prevention and crisis management.
- Joint Declaration on Education and Training focuses on academic exchanges, the creation of an Institute of European Studies, and policy dialogue.
Projects and results
Research project database (CORDIS)
EU-funded research projects involving Brazil
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service
More stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects involving Brazil
Documents
Contact
National Contact Points
The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
Research enquiry service
You can contact the research enquiry service to find out more about research in Europe, the EU's research and innovation funding programmes as well as calls for proposals and project funding.
European Commission
Albena Shishkova | DG Research & Innovation, Brazil Desk | International cooperation
EU Delegation to Brazil
Laura Maragna - contact
Eva Barreto - contact
EURAXESS Brazil
provides access to a complete range of information and support services for anyone wishing to pursue a research career in Europe. Euraxess-Links offers local networking and information opportunities in a number of countries, including North America.