The Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), the primary state agency supporting scientific research and technological innovation in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has announced its most ambitious funding initiative to date. On January 27, 2026, FAPEMIG launched the Chamada 01/2026 – Demanda Universal, allocating a staggering R$105 million over 36 months to fuel diverse research projects across all knowledge areas. This record-breaking budget represents a significant boost for researchers, particularly those affiliated with universities in Minas Gerais, aiming to enhance scientific quality, diversity, and innovation while nurturing the next generation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) talent.

This universal demand call opens doors for academics at institutions like the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Universidade Estadual de Minas Gerais (UEMG), Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (Unimontes), and Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), among others. By providing flexible funding without thematic restrictions, FAPEMIG empowers higher education institutions to tackle pressing regional challenges in health, agriculture, environment, and technology.

Understanding FAPEMIG's Role in Minas Gerais Higher Education

FAPEMIG, established decades ago, plays a pivotal role in Brazil's research ecosystem by channeling state resources into academic pursuits. Unlike national funders like CNPq or CAPES, FAPEMIG focuses on Minas Gerais-based Institutions of Science and Technology (ICTs-MG), which predominantly include public and private universities. In recent years, it has funded thousands of projects, bolstering university labs, training postdocs and PhDs, and fostering industry-academia partnerships.

For context, previous Demanda Universal calls, such as 01/2025, approved hundreds of proposals worth tens of millions, enabling breakthroughs like nanotechnology advancements and novel treatments derived from local flora at UFJF. This 2026 edition amplifies that impact with 250% more resources, signaling Minas Gerais' commitment to reclaiming its position as a research powerhouse amid federal funding fluctuations.

Breakdown of the R$105 Million Funding Modalities

The call is structured into three main categories (faixas), each tailored to different project scales and needs, ensuring accessibility for solo investigators and large teams alike.

• Faixa A – Individual Projects: Designed for single PhD coordinators, capped at R$100,000. Ideal for early-stage ideas requiring equipment or consumables. Features blind peer review in the first stage to promote fairness, followed by coordinator profile assessment.
• Faixa B – Group Projects: Requires at least three PhD researchers, up to R$450,000. Suited for collaborative efforts across university departments, covering travel, publications, and scholarships.
• Faixa C – Large Equipment Acquisition: Up to R$2 million per project for high-value gear essential to research lines. Targets young researchers, exemplified by UFJF's psoriasis study using unconventional food plants.

Fundable items span equipment, materials, services, travel (limited to two round-trips per team member), congress participation, and even article publication fees in Scopus or SciELO-indexed journals.

Exclusive R$30 Million Boost for State Universities UEMG and Unimontes

A standout feature is the R$30 million ringfenced for researchers at UEMG and Unimontes, comprising nearly 30% of the total pot. This targeted allocation underscores FAPEMIG's strategy to elevate state universities' research capacity, often underserved compared to federal giants like UFMG.

Funds support all modalities, enabling infrastructure upgrades, multi-disciplinary collaborations, and knowledge generation with direct socioeconomic benefits for northern Minas Gerais regions. This move not only expands lab facilities but also attracts top talent, positioning these institutions as hubs for regional innovation. For academics eyeing opportunities, check university jobs in Brazil to align careers with such funded ecosystems.

Innovative BIC-STEM Scholarships to Ignite Young Talent

To spark interest in STEM careers, the call introduces Bolsas Especiais de Iniciação Científica (BIC-STEM). Valued at R$1,275 monthly—50% above standard initiation grants—these last up to 24 months and go to the top 50 Faixa A and 100 Faixa B projects incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Gerente Simone Bomtempo Rodrigues highlighted: "These scholarships will be awarded to the best-evaluated projects using AI, fostering young Mineiros' participation in STEM." This initiative addresses Brazil's talent gap, training undergraduates for roles in burgeoning fields like AI-driven biotech at universities.

Prospective students can prepare via higher ed career advice resources.

Photo by Henrique Félix Duarte on Unsplash

Eligibility, Application Process, and Key Deadlines

Eligible coordinators must hold a PhD and be employed (CLT, statutory, or contract) by an ICT-MG. Notably, those funded in the 2025 Demanda Universal are ineligible to prevent overlap.

Step-by-step application via Everest platform:

1. Register/login at Everest.
2. Prepare proposal with budget justification, work plans, and annexes (e.g., ethical permissions, gestor designation).
3. Submit by March 20, 2026; results expected July 8, 2026.
4. Await habilitação (compliance check), merit evaluation, and homologation.

Full edital at FAPEMIG site.

Evaluation Criteria and Emphasis on Innovation

Proposals are scored on merit (project quality, relevance), team expertise, institutional support, budget adequacy, and innovation potential—especially for equipment enabling new techniques. Blind review in Faixa A minimizes bias, ensuring diverse voices from lesser-known unis prevail.

Secretária Mila Corrêa da Costa emphasized: "This is an excellent opportunity for Mineiro researchers to develop projects contributing to scientific, economic, and innovative development."

Historical Impact: How Past Calls Transformed Minas Gerais Academia

FAPEMIG's Demanda Universal has a proven track record. In 2025, UFJF secured over R$37 million across projects, advancing legal innovation and biochemistry. UFMG labs pioneered nanosciences, while state unis like UEMG expanded postdoc programs. Collectively, these investments have produced thousands of publications, patents, and startups, elevating Minas Gerais' global research footprint.

Statistics from prior cycles show 60-70% of funds to universities, training over 5,000 students annually. This 2026 surge promises even greater scale.

Challenges and Strategic Advice for Applicants

• Align with regional priorities like agrotech for Minas' farming economy.
• Emphasize AI/STEM for BIC bonuses.
• Secure institutional letters early.
• Avoid 2025 repeat proposers.

For career boosts, explore research jobs or postdoc positions funded similarly. Detailed tips in postdoc success guide.

Future Outlook: Elevating Brazilian Higher Education

This FAPEMIG boost counters national funding cuts, positioning Minas Gerais universities as innovation leaders. Expect surges in AI-health integrations, sustainable mining tech, and bioeconomy solutions. Long-term, it could spawn spin-offs, attracting international collaborators.

Researchers worldwide can engage via partnerships; see global opportunities.

Photo by Luiz Felipe S. C. on Unsplash

In summary, FAPEMIG's R$105 million call is a game-changer for Minas Gerais higher education. Aspiring PIs should act swiftly—deadlines loom. Stay informed on professor insights, higher ed jobs, and career advice. For employers, post openings at post a job.