Government releases R$ 30 million for research investments in Antarctica

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation announced the release of R$ 30 million for financing projects on the Antarctic continent. The Decennial Plan for the Brazilian Antarctic Science, considers the deadline for the next research between 2023 and 2032 and was prepared by the National Committee for Antarctic Research.

According to Luciana Santos, Minister of Finance, this is the highest value in 40 years of the Brazilian Antarctic Program – the last edition was approximately R$ 18 million. “This shows the commitment of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with the research activities developed within the scope of the Brazilian Antarctic Program – the longest-running program of the Country, which allows Brazil to be inserted in the group of just 29 nations, which are consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty. Science is Brazil’s prerogative to participate in this select group that defines the future of the Antarctic continent”, says the minister.

The registrations for research projects will be open on July 28, on the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) site. In an interview with CNN, Andrea Cruz, general coordinator of the CGOA (Comitê Gestor das Obrigações Acessórias) and specialist in the application of resources in Antarctica, points out that Brazil will follow a new pattern with the diversification of two topics, “The research is aligned with international agendas . O Brazil inserts the national needs in the context of international research. Increasing and intensifying the exchange with other countries”, Andrea analyzes.

The Brazil works in Antarctic science with 17 laboratories of the Comandante Ferraz station. The broad investment model of five for seven research topics, these are: Ice and Climate, Antarctic Biodiversity, Southern Ocean, Geology and Geophysics, High Atmosphere, Human and Social Sciences and Polar Health. In addition to these items, for the first time there will be availability of Brazilian studios directed to the Arctic, to the North Pole region.