Since its foundation, Serrapilheira established a partnership with major players in Brazilian science. Learn more:

Companhia das Letras

The partnership between Serrapilheira and Companhia das Letras has already resulted in two scientific outreach books. In 2019, the Portuguese version of “Ignorance – How It Drives Science” was released in Brazil. In the book, neuroscientist Stuart Firestein argues that the engine of science is not knowledge but rather the doubts and uncertainties about everything we do not know. Learn more.

In 2022, physicist Rafael Chaves released “Quantum Uncertainty – The Mysteries of a Theory and the New Era of Information” through Zahar, in partnership with Serrapilheira, about the most successful theory in physics: quantum mechanics. Chaves began engaging in scientific outreach two years earlier, writing for the Serrapilheira blog at Folha de S.Paulo, Fundamental Science.

Confap and FAPs

Serrapilheira has established partnerships with the National Council of State Research Support Foundations (Confap) and the FAPs of São Paulo (Fapesp), Rio de Janeiro (Faperj), and Santa Catarina (Fapesc), intending to expand support for young scientists in the states.

These partnerships can take two forms: through co-financing, Serrapilheira and the FAPs may jointly support scientists selected through the institute’s public call. Alternatively, through unilateral support from the FAPs, scientists from their respective states who reach the final phase in the Serrapilheira selection process but do not receive institute support due to budget limitations may receive funding from the foundations.

Faperj

In partnership with the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Faperj), Serrapilheira launched a public call aimed at Black and Indigenous scientists. The goal is to stimulate the exchange of ideas among scientists who will work, in this case, specifically in ecology. Selected candidates will join research groups in the state of Rio de Janeiro where they have neither been educated nor previously worked and will receive a monthly scholarship of R$ 8,000, plus up to R$ 700,000 to fund research for three years, renewable for two more years. An additional R$ 100,000 will be specifically available to integrate and train people from underrepresented groups in the research teams.

Folha de S.Paulo

In January 2020, we signed a partnership with Folha de São Paulo newspaper to launch a blog where we invite scientists to reflect upon the fundamental questions of their fields of study. Through this project, we intend to spotlight top young researchers and encourage them to hone their skills in communicating with diverse audiences.

Funarbe – Arthur Bernardes Foundation

Together with the Arthur Bernardes Foundation (FUNARBE), which is in charge of disbursing our funding, we advocated for reducing bureaucracy in the sciences, streamlining processes, and enabling scientists to have more time and freedom for their research.

GIFE

In 2020, Serrapilheira strengthened its partnership with GIFE (Group of Institutes, Foundations, and Companies), a network it has been part of since 2017. Both institutions have combined efforts to amplify the agenda of science in the nonprofit sector and discuss what private social investment can do for this cause. We also participated in the 11th GIFE Congress, helping to organize an online panel in September 2020 on the theme “Social Investment for Science and Information.”

ICTP-SAIFR

In 2021, Serrapilheira launched its first program aimed at scientists who have not yet completed their doctorate: Training in Quantitative Biology and Ecology, currently Quantitative Ecology Training. The program was launched in partnership with the South American Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-SAIFR) with the mission of preparing future scientists for research in ecology with a focus on using mathematics, physics, and computer science. The idea is to leverage Brazil’s potential—home to the world’s greatest biodiversity—and create, in the long term, a generation of highly qualified young scientists to address its challenges.

IDOR

In 2020, Serrapilheira and the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) jointly invested R$ 5 million in five research projects to understand and find solutions for COVID-19. Coordinated by scientists from UFRJ, USP, UFMG, Fiocruz, and IDOR, the projects were divided into three major areas: viral biology, mathematical models, and immunology. The partnership included interdisciplinary collaborations between the two institutes through data sharing and the diverse expertise of the professionals involved.

International Center for Journalists (ICFJ)

Given the world’s challenges with the spread of scientific misinformation, Serrapilheira and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) sealed a partnership to support collaborative reporting efforts to combat misinformation in science. This initiative is part of the global Disarming Disinformation program, which, through the partnership, brought Brazilian candidates working with misinformation themes in science to the investigation, an in-person event in Austin, USA.

Jô Clemente Institute (IJC)

The Jô Clemente Institute (IJC) – formerly São Paulo APAE – and Serrapilheira established a partnership to support science that began with an unprecedented call for proposals. The call funds research in rare genetic diseases, currently diagnosed at a late stage. The focus is on proposals that seek to create and/or adapt tests that can be adopted in the neonatal screening service.

This is the first time Serrapilheira has mobilized scientists to seek answers to a specific and applied challenge. We are increasingly looking for partnerships with non-governmental organizations that can channel private resources to science, as is the case with the IJC. Based on our experience with public calls and research funding, we want to help other private organizations to make donations.

Instituto Ibirapitanga

In 2021, Serrapilheira began co-financing projects in partnership with Instituto Ibirapitanga, which was dedicated to racial equity and food system causes. Two projects are supported jointly: the Oguntec Program, conceived and conducted by the Steve Biko Cultural Institute in Salvador (BA), offers a preparatory course for students wishing to enter science and technology careers in higher education. The Postgraduate Affirmative Action Observatory (OBAAP), coordinated by political scientist Anna Carolina Venturini, is a national database of postgraduate program calls with affirmative actions.

Capes Thesis Award

Considering the importance of gestures that acknowledge the work of young researchers committed to excellence, Serrapilheira participated in the 2019 and 2020 CAPES Thesis Award. We funded two of the event’s three main prizes, which were given to the best PhD theses of the year.

Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC)

In 2022, Serrapilheira joined the institutional members of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC). The institution traditionally brings together people and institutions linked to the scientific community and is an important articulator in the fight for the political valorization of science in the country.

The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA)

Interested in promoting better practices in academic research assessment, Serrapilheira is a signatory of The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). The declaration, which recognizes the need to improve how academic research outcomes are evaluated, was developed in 2012 during the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Francisco. It has become a global initiative that spans all academic disciplines and all significant stakeholders, including funders, publishers, professional societies, institutions, and researchers.