The Brazilian Ministry of Women has opened a public call for proposals to establish Cuidotecas—dedicated childcare spaces—in state public universities across the country. The initiative, backed by R$9.2 million in federal funding, targets improved retention and advancement opportunities for women in higher education by addressing one of the most persistent barriers to academic persistence: the unequal distribution of unpaid care work.

Background on Care Policies in Brazilian Higher Education

Cuidotecas represent a targeted expansion of the National Care Policy, formally established through Law 15.069/2024 under the broader Plano Nacional de Cuidados – Brasil que Cuida. These facilities provide free, safe, and accessible care for children aged 3 to 12, including those with disabilities, during the hours when student mothers, female staff, and researchers attend classes, conduct research, or fulfill administrative duties. The model builds on earlier pilots implemented in federal institutes of education, science, and technology, where ten Cuidotecas were launched in seven institutions by early 2026.

State universities, which enroll a significant share of Brazil’s undergraduate and graduate students outside the federal system, have historically lacked dedicated infrastructure for early childhood care. This gap disproportionately affects women, who continue to shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities in Brazilian households. By extending the program to state institutions, the Ministry aims to create more equitable conditions for academic progression, particularly in evening and postgraduate programs where many working mothers study.

Details of Edital nº 4/2026

Published on 12 June 2026, the Edital de Chamamento Público para Manifestação de Interesse nº 4/2026 invites each eligible state university to submit a single proposal for one campus. Proposals must outline plans for a 12-month operation period, with funding capped at R$240,000 per institution. The submission window runs from 15 June to 15 September 2026 through the Transferegov.br platform under program number 6500020260009.

Universities are required to provide non-financial counterpart contributions, including physical space, basic infrastructure, furniture, and operational support. Proposals must also include a sustainability plan demonstrating how the service will continue after the initial federal funding period. Priority criteria in case of oversubscription include municipalities with higher social vulnerability, lower existing public care coverage, and greater demonstrated demand.

Eligibility and Application Process for State Universities

Only presencial state public universities may apply. Each institution submits one proposal focused on a single campus. The Ministry evaluates submissions based on technical feasibility, alignment with care-policy objectives, and the institution’s capacity to deliver inclusive services. Successful applicants receive resources for staffing, materials, and program operations while leveraging their own facilities.

Administrators interested in participating are encouraged to review the full edital text on the Ministry’s website and prepare documentation demonstrating community need and institutional commitment. The process emphasizes inter-ministerial coordination, drawing on partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger.

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Expected Impacts on Student Retention and Gender Equity

By reducing the care burden, Cuidotecas are projected to improve completion rates among female students, particularly those in night courses and advanced-degree programs. Research on similar support mechanisms in Brazilian higher education has shown that access to on-campus childcare correlates with higher persistence and faster time-to-degree for mothers. The program also supports female academic staff and researchers, potentially contributing to greater gender balance in faculty ranks and leadership positions over time.

University administrators note that such infrastructure can enhance institutional attractiveness for prospective students and faculty, especially in competitive recruitment environments. For PhD-track candidates balancing family responsibilities, the presence of a Cuidoteca may influence decisions about where to pursue or continue graduate studies.

Broader National Expansion of the Care Network

The state-university component forms part of a larger federal effort to roll out 375 Cuidotecas nationwide across 25 states, the Federal District, and 204 municipalities. Total investment exceeds R$54 million, with contributions from the Ministry of Women (more than R$11 million, including the R$9.2 million for state universities), the Ministry of Education (R$20 million), and the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance (over R$23 million). This intersectoral approach integrates care services into federal institutes, federal universities, and now state universities, creating a more comprehensive support ecosystem.

Perspectives from Ministry Leadership

Minister of Women Márcia Lopes emphasized the policy’s role in recognizing care as both a right and a shared responsibility. She stated that placing Cuidotecas in state universities creates conditions for more women to remain in studies, complete their training, and expand professional opportunities with the assurance that their children are in safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments.

National Secretary for Economic Autonomy and Care Policy Joana Célia dos Passos highlighted the initiative’s potential to address one of the main obstacles to women’s educational continuity and labor-market insertion. The spaces, she noted, provide a concrete response to care-work overload while fostering better conditions for students, workers, and researchers to advance their life projects.

Challenges and Implementation Considerations

While the funding represents a meaningful step, universities will need to navigate practical challenges such as identifying suitable physical spaces, recruiting qualified caregivers, and ensuring accessibility for children with disabilities. Sustainability planning is critical, as institutions must demonstrate how services will persist beyond the 12-month funded period. Coordination with local municipal care networks and alignment with existing student-support programs will also be important for maximizing impact.

Some administrators have raised questions about the scale of resources relative to demand, particularly in large state systems with multiple campuses. The edital’s prioritization criteria aim to direct resources toward areas of greatest need, but effective outreach and proposal development will determine equitable distribution.

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Implications for Academic Careers and Institutional Strategy

For academics and PhD candidates, the rollout signals growing institutional recognition of care responsibilities as a factor in career trajectories. Universities that successfully implement Cuidotecas may position themselves as more family-friendly environments, potentially improving recruitment and retention of diverse talent. The program aligns with broader discussions in Brazilian higher education about work-life balance, gender equity in academia, and the need for structural supports beyond individual accommodations.

University leaders are advised to integrate Cuidoteca planning into strategic enrollment and equity initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional development plans and accreditation requirements.

Future Outlook and Next Steps

With proposals due by mid-September 2026, selected universities are expected to begin operations in the following academic cycle. The Ministry anticipates that successful pilots will inform further expansions and refinements of the care-policy framework. Observers in the higher-education sector will watch closely for data on utilization rates, retention outcomes, and lessons learned that could shape similar initiatives in other public institutions.

Stakeholders interested in the program can monitor updates on the Ministry of Women’s portal and the Transferegov.br platform. The initiative underscores the federal government’s commitment to linking care infrastructure directly to educational access and gender-equity goals within Brazil’s state university system.