(23.07.13) Between 2 and 4 July, the second review seminar for Brazil's National Institutes for Science and Technology (INCTs) was held in the country's capital. The DFG's Latin America office was invited by collaboration partner CNPq to take part in the review process as an observer. Over 600 people participated in the seminar, including 33 national and international observers.

The INCTs were established in 2009 with the aim of expanding both basic and applied research in Brazil and driving technology innovation to strengthen economic competitiveness. There are over 100 INCTs, networking leading researchers and research institutions in a wide range of fields, from agricultural sciences, nanotechnologies and healthcare to the humanities and social sciences. They also provide a solid basis for the training of early career researchers, including doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The second seminar took place over two days and focused on renewal reviews for existing INCTs. The INCTs hosted an information stand and were also required to give a 20-minute presentation on their results so far and future core research areas to an evaluation committee of three reviewers in the relevant field. Several of the evaluation committees also included a reviewer from abroad. The committee for humanities and social sciences, for example, included Prof. Christoph Käppler from the University of Dortmund as an international reviewer.

At the end of the seminar, CNPq president Prof. Glaucius Oliva announced that a new call for proposals would be published in October or November 2013 for new and existing INCTs.