By Pioneer Science | Published on December 11, 2025 | Last updated on May 14, 2026
The information below refers to the 2nd Edition of the Pioneer Science Announcement — Researchers in Independent Career Consolidation. This page is periodically updated throughout the selection process. Have questions? Write to contato@cienciapioneira.org.
What type of research will the public call support?
The public call from Pioneer Science aims to support fundamental research projects that address major questions in the fields of health and biomedical sciences, as well as their interfaces with exact sciences. Major questions are those that challenge current scientific knowledge, offer new perspectives for advancement, or deepen understanding in specific scientific areas. The focus is on original and bold projects, especially those that present a high degree of risk and innovation. Projects that merely replicate previous work will not be supported. Clinical research or technological development projects are also not the subject of this announcement. It is essential that there is a new and significant contribution to the field.
Will the evaluation reports be disclosed?
Only candidates who reach the interview stage will receive feedback from the evaluators, regardless of whether they are approved for funding.
How to submit a proposal to the announcement?
Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Pioneer Science portal on the Fluxx platform within the deadlines established in the call.
How is the selection process structured?
The selection process is divided into three stages. In Stage 1, a blind evaluation of the title and abstract takes place, focusing on the degree of innovation and the disruptive potential of the proposal. In Stage 2, evaluators analyze the curriculum, trajectory, and scientific contributions of the proposer to determine academic merit. In Stage 3, selected candidates submit the complete proposal and participate in an interview in English conducted by a panel of prominent scientists.
Is it necessary to include a detailed budget in my proposal?
No. A detailed budget is not required. Only at the stage of submitting the complete proposal will a simplified budget be requested, indicating the expected values for the main types of expenses. Additionally, the resources from Pioneer Science may be adjusted among different items throughout the execution of the project.
Can the supports from Pioneer Science through public calls be extended?
Yes. Supports from Pioneer Science can be extended, provided that the researcher participates and is approved in a new public call.
Is it possible for the researcher to pay a scholarship to themselves when there is a plan to conduct part of the research abroad?
No. The announcement does not allow self-remuneration with the resources. The amount granted through the announcement cannot be transferred to other countries either.
Regarding eligibility, the announcement states that the candidate must have defended their doctorate since January 2015, with an exception for women with children. Is there any exception for people who had international mobility throughout their career, such as those who did sandwich doctorates?
The only exception provided in the announcement is for women who had children during the period.
Are postdoctoral researchers with a scholarship bond eligible for the announcement?
Postdoctoral researchers without a labor bond or without a formal functional bond (for example, as professors or visiting researchers, substitutes, or temporary staff) with Brazilian research institutions are not eligible for this announcement.
Is a researcher with a technical bond in a research institution (public or private) eligible to compete, considering they also conduct research activities?
If the candidate has obtained their doctorate during the period described in the announcement and conducts activities as a leader of an independent research group, they may compete.
Is it allowed for the project to have two principal researchers?
For the purposes of this announcement, only one researcher should be designated as responsible for the proposal. This does not prevent the project from being developed in collaboration with other research groups, but only one researcher should be indicated as the official proponent.
Are foreigners accepted?
Yes, as long as they are affiliated through a labor contract or formal functional bond to a Brazilian institution. Resources from the support provided by this announcement cannot be transferred to institutions abroad.
If the doctorate diploma has not yet been issued, will a declaration or defense minutes be accepted?
The date of approval of the doctorate, according to the declaration from the PPG coordination, will be observed in the case of doctorate diplomas that have not yet been issued.
What type of documentation is accepted as proof of employment or functional bond?
A declaration in Portuguese on letterhead issued by the director of the institute, department head, or equivalent that proves the mentioned bond will be accepted.
Where can I consult the complete schedule of the call?
Check the complete schedule HERE.
