President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sanctioned on Monday (4) the bill (PL) 847/2025, which improves the allocation of resources from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT). The legislation allows the use of the fund’s financial surplus to grant loans. 
With this, it is possible to completely release about $ 22 billion from FNDCT to finance research and innovation.
“With this measure, we will strengthen innovation in the six missions of Nova Indústria Brasil and in scientific and technological institutions, bringing infrastructure, research networks and opportunities for all territories of the country. Investing in research and innovation is investing in the future of Brazil,” wrote the president on a social network.
By the rules of the new tax framework of 2023, up to 50% of the total provided for in the Annual Budget Law (LOA) can be used in loans by FNDCT. The rest must be destined for direct investments such as scholarships and notices.
The new law says that this limit will remain valid for each year’s budget, but surplus resources from previous years may be used to fund innovation projects through the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep).
According to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, the release of FNDCT resources will allow you to strengthen innovation, especially in regional integration actions and projects and the internalization of science and innovation.
“[Isso] It was only possible thanks to the commitment of the government of President Lula, who reaffirms, with concrete actions, his view that science, technology and innovation are strategic pillars for the future of the country, ”he said.
The minister stressed that, although the FNDCT was created in 1969, the fund gained greater relevance in the governments of President Lula, including the current term.
“In the first year, you put $ 10 billion; in the second year, $ 12.7 billion; and now $ 14.7 billion. And 64% of these resources go to the new Brazil Industry (NIB), which is to be able to make the reindustrialization agenda on technological and sustainable bases, and for the PAC, the growth acceleration plan,” he said.
FNDCT is the main instrument of public funding of science, technology and innovation in Brazil. It supports scientific research, qualified human resources formation, technological innovation in companies, research infrastructure and the development of national strategic projects.
According to the government, in the last two years, investments in science, technology and innovation through FNDCT have increased six times. They left R $ 2 billion in 2021 to R $ 12 billion in 2024. The forecast for 2025 is about R $ 14 billion.
