Franco-Brazilian Research Collaboration Takes Center Stage in Paris
The launch of the AURELA research project marks a significant milestone in academic cooperation between Brazil and France. Funded through the longstanding CAPES-COFECUB program, this four-year initiative unites researchers from six universities across both countries to examine critical issues in EU-Latin America relations.
Coordinated by Rafael Mesquita from the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) in Brazil and Kevin Parthenay from Université de Tours and Sciences Po’s CERI/OPALC in France, the project focuses on environmental sustainability, security and emerging technologies, as well as democratic governance and fundamental rights.
Understanding CAPES-COFECUB: A Pillar of Bilateral Academic Ties
The CAPES-COFECUB program, established in 1978 by the Brazilian and French governments, has facilitated decades of high-level research exchanges. CAPES, Brazil’s Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, works alongside the French Comité Français d’Évaluation de la Coopération Universitaire et Scientifique avec le Brésil to support joint projects across all fields of knowledge.
This framework promotes researcher mobility, joint publications, and institutional partnerships that strengthen higher education in both nations. Over the years, it has supported thousands of Brazilian doctoral students and fostered enduring academic networks.
The Scope and Objectives of the AURELA Project
AURELA, which stands for Autonomy and Multilateral Reconfigurations: EU–Latin America Relations, addresses pressing global challenges through a comparative lens. The project explores how multilateral frameworks are evolving amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Key themes include sustainable development practices, the role of emerging technologies in security contexts, and the protection of democratic institutions and human rights. By bringing together scholars from Brazil and France, AURELA aims to generate actionable insights for policymakers and academic communities.
Participating Institutions and Research Teams
Six universities form the core consortium. On the Brazilian side, UFPE plays a leading role under coordinator Rafael Mesquita. French partners include Université de Tours and Sciences Po, with additional institutions contributing expertise in political science, international relations, and environmental studies.
This balanced partnership ensures diverse perspectives, combining Brazilian regional insights with European analytical traditions. The structure encourages cross-border supervision of doctoral students and collaborative fieldwork.
Photo by mauRÍCIO SANTOS on Unsplash
Launch Event Details and Program Highlights
The official launch took place on 29 June 2026 at Sciences Po in Paris, specifically in the Amphithéâtre Jeannie de Clarens. The in-person event featured presentations by the project coordinators and discussions on the research agenda.
Attendees included representatives from participating universities, funding bodies, and the diplomatic community. The program emphasized the project’s alignment with broader EU-Latin America strategic priorities.
Implications for Brazilian Higher Education
For Brazilian universities, participation in AURELA enhances international visibility and access to European research networks. It supports capacity building in areas such as international relations and sustainability studies, fields increasingly central to national development strategies.
Faculty and graduate students benefit from mobility opportunities, joint supervision, and exposure to rigorous peer-review processes. This collaboration also aligns with Brazil’s goals of increasing high-impact publications and fostering innovation through international partnerships.
Broader Context: EU-Latin America Relations in 2026
The timing of the project coincides with evolving dynamics in global multilateralism. Discussions around environmental governance, digital security, and democratic resilience are particularly relevant as both regions navigate economic transitions and geopolitical tensions.
AURELA positions Brazilian and French scholars at the forefront of these debates, contributing evidence-based analysis that can inform diplomatic and policy initiatives.
Future Outlook and Expected Outcomes
Over the next four years, the project is expected to produce peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and training programs for early-career researchers. Outcomes will include strengthened institutional links that may lead to additional joint funding applications.
By focusing on autonomy and multilateral reconfigurations, AURELA contributes to a deeper understanding of how middle powers like Brazil can shape international agendas alongside European partners.
Opportunities for Researchers and Institutions
Academic job seekers and PhD candidates in Brazil will find expanded pathways through this network. Positions involving international collaboration, fieldwork in Europe, and co-authored research are likely to emerge as the project advances.
University administrators can leverage AURELA as a model for developing similar bilateral programs, enhancing their institutions’ global competitiveness and research output.
Building on Decades of Successful Cooperation
The CAPES-COFECUB program’s nearly 50-year history demonstrates the enduring value of structured academic exchange. AURELA builds directly on this foundation, applying proven mechanisms to contemporary challenges in EU-Latin America relations.
Success will be measured not only by scholarly output but also by the lasting professional networks and policy influence generated through this partnership.