CAPES Participation Highlights National Priorities at Education Journals Congress
The Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, known as CAPES, took center stage at the fifth edition of the Congresso Nacional de Editores de Periódicos de Educação, or V CONEPEd, held in Goiânia, Goiás, from June 1 to 3, 2026. The federal agency, under the Ministério da Educação, used the gathering of journal editors to outline strategies for bolstering Brazilian scientific publications in an era of rapid artificial intelligence adoption and digital transformation.
Director of Evaluation Antonio Gomes de Souza Filho emphasized CAPES’s ongoing development of policies that value national publications while maintaining global competitiveness. The core objective, he noted, involves balancing the international visibility of Brazilian research with robust support for domestic editorial infrastructure and the professionalization of academic journals.
Background on CAPES and Its Role in Brazilian Research Publishing
CAPES, established to enhance graduate education and research personnel, oversees the Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, a national digital library providing access to thousands of journals and databases for over 400 institutions. Launched more than two decades ago, the portal has become a cornerstone for democratizing scientific knowledge across federal universities, research institutes, and affiliated bodies.
In recent years, CAPES has expanded its influence through transformative agreements with major publishers. These deals facilitate open access publishing for Brazilian authors without article processing charges, covering institutions that serve millions of researchers and students.
Key Discussions at V CONEPEd on AI and Technological Advances
Attendees at the University Federal de Goiás venue explored how artificial intelligence tools are reshaping peer review, manuscript preparation, and journal management. Sessions addressed ethical guidelines for AI-assisted writing, automated plagiarism detection, and the integration of machine learning in content curation.
Participants highlighted both opportunities and risks. AI can accelerate literature reviews and improve accessibility through translation, yet concerns persist around data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential dilution of human editorial oversight. CAPES representatives stressed the need for national frameworks that align with international standards from bodies like the Committee on Publication Ethics.
Strengthening Domestic Journals Through Infrastructure Support
CAPES outlined initiatives to upgrade technical capabilities for Brazilian journals, including funding for platforms that comply with international indexing requirements. Professionalization efforts focus on training editors in digital workflows, metadata standards, and sustainable funding models.
These measures aim to reduce reliance on foreign platforms and foster a self-sustaining ecosystem. By investing in local infrastructure, the agency seeks to elevate the quality and visibility of publications in education and related fields.
Photo by Kouji Tsuru on Unsplash
Open Access Agreements and Global Integration
Recent partnerships with publishers such as Wiley, Springer Nature, Elsevier, and the Royal Society enable Brazilian researchers to publish openly while accessing extensive content. These read-and-publish deals, negotiated by CAPES, cover hundreds of institutions and target progressive increases in coverage over multi-year periods.
Such agreements support the broader goal of integrating Brazilian science into global conversations without compromising national priorities. They also align with CAPES’s mission to expand access through the Portal de Periódicos.
Challenges Facing Brazilian Scientific Journals
Editors at the congress discussed persistent issues including funding constraints, low citation rates for national journals, and the dominance of English-language publications. The rise of predatory journals and the need for rigorous quality control were also prominent topics.
Technological shifts introduce additional complexities, such as adapting to new submission systems and ensuring compliance with evolving open science mandates. Regional disparities in resources between institutions in different states further complicate efforts to achieve uniform standards.
Perspectives from Stakeholders and Editors
Representatives from education-focused journals shared experiences of navigating AI tools in their workflows. Many welcomed assistance with routine tasks but cautioned against over-reliance that could undermine scholarly rigor.
University administrators present noted the importance of CAPES support for smaller journals affiliated with regional institutions. They called for continued dialogue to tailor policies that reflect the diversity of Brazil’s higher education landscape.
Future Outlook and Policy Directions
CAPES signaled plans for enhanced evaluation criteria that reward quality and impact within national contexts alongside international metrics. Webinars scheduled for June 2026 will further explore AI applications in systematic reviews and publishing innovation.
The agency aims to position Brazilian journals as competitive players in a tech-driven environment, promoting inclusivity and sustainability. Long-term success will depend on collaboration among government bodies, universities, and editorial teams.
Implications for Academics and Researchers
Faculty members and graduate students stand to benefit from improved access and publishing opportunities. Enhanced journal infrastructure could accelerate career progression for those publishing in Portuguese or focusing on Brazil-specific topics.
PhD candidates tracking opportunities in Brazilian higher education will find these developments relevant as institutions prioritize research output aligned with national strategies.
Actionable Steps for Journal Editors and Institutions
Editors are encouraged to participate in upcoming CAPES webinars and adopt best practices for AI integration. Institutions can leverage portal resources and transformative agreements to expand their publishing capacity.
Regular engagement with CAPES evaluation processes will help align local efforts with federal priorities, ensuring sustained support for the Brazilian scholarly publishing community.
