Advancing Gender Equity in Brazilian Academia Through Targeted Support

The Brazilian higher education landscape continues to evolve with initiatives designed to address longstanding disparities in research participation. One such development is the CAPES Programa Aurora, formally known as the Programa AURORA — Continuidade da Trajetória de Mães Cientistas. This program provides up to 300 postdoctoral scholarships specifically for women who are pregnant or mothers of young children while serving as professors or collaborators in stricto sensu postgraduate programs recommended by CAPES.

Established through Portaria nº 129 of March 2026 and subsequently amended, the initiative recognizes the unique challenges faced by researcher mothers in balancing academic productivity with family responsibilities. By offering structured financial and professional support, it aims to sustain career trajectories during critical periods of gestation and early parenthood.

Core Features and Benefits of the Program

Each selected scholarship lasts 24 months and provides a monthly stipend of R$ 5,200. The total investment reaches approximately R$ 37.44 million, underscoring CAPES's commitment to this equity-focused effort. Scholarships function through the indication of a host researcher or institution, allowing recipients to maintain active involvement in research projects, teaching, and supervision without interruption.

Participants gain protected time to advance their postdoctoral work, publish findings, and contribute to their postgraduate programs. This structure directly supports the continuity of scientific output at a stage when many women experience career setbacks due to maternity-related demands.

Eligibility Criteria and Target Audience

Eligibility centers on women who are permanent or collaborating professors (orientadoras) in CAPES-recommended postgraduate programs. Candidates must be pregnant (typically from the second trimester onward) or mothers of children up to two years of age. The program also extends to women who have adopted or obtained judicial custody of children within the preceding two years, as well as mothers of children with disabilities or developmental disorders.

This targeted approach ensures resources reach those actively engaged in Brazil's postgraduate ecosystem, including institutions across all regions. By focusing on established academics rather than early-career researchers alone, the program reinforces retention and advancement for mid-career women scientists.

Application Process and Timeline

The first call for proposals opened with Edital nº 16/2026, published in May 2026. Submissions occur through the CAPES online portal at inscricao.capes.gov.br/individual. The initial cycle deadline falls on June 5, 2026, with subsequent cycles expected to follow.

Proposals require documentation verifying eligibility, a research plan aligned with the candidate's ongoing work, and endorsement from the host postgraduate program. Evaluation prioritizes scientific merit, feasibility, and the potential impact on the applicant's career continuity.

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Context Within Brazilian Higher Education

Brazil's postgraduate system, overseen by CAPES under the Ministry of Education, trains thousands of researchers annually across hundreds of programs. Women represent a growing share of doctoral graduates and faculty, yet data consistently show higher attrition rates during childbearing years. Programs like Aurora address this pipeline leakage by providing concrete mechanisms for retention.

Universities such as the University of São Paulo, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and others with large postgraduate cohorts stand to benefit directly, as supported mothers maintain supervision roles and collaborative projects. The initiative aligns with broader national goals of increasing female representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Perspectives from Stakeholders and Experts

CAPES leadership has emphasized the program's role in fostering inclusive institutional practices. President Denise Pires de Carvalho has highlighted how such measures recognize maternity as an integral part of academic life rather than an obstacle. University administrators note improved morale and productivity among eligible faculty, while early recipients describe renewed focus on research without the financial strain of unpaid leave extensions.

PhD-track job seekers and postdoctoral candidates abroad monitoring Brazilian opportunities see Aurora as a signal of progressive policies that could attract international talent interested in equitable environments.

Potential Impacts on Research Output and Career Trajectories

By sustaining research momentum, the program is expected to boost publication rates, grant applications, and supervision capacity among participants. Long-term effects may include higher rates of promotion to senior positions and greater diversity in leadership within postgraduate programs.

Broader ripple effects include modeling best practices for other funding agencies and universities, potentially inspiring similar maternity-support mechanisms at state foundations like FAPESP or in private institutions.

Challenges and Considerations for Implementation

Successful rollout depends on clear communication of eligibility, streamlined application processes, and institutional support for integrating scholarship recipients. Monitoring outcomes through follow-up evaluations will be essential to refine future cycles and measure retention gains.

Regional disparities in postgraduate infrastructure may influence participation rates, underscoring the need for targeted outreach in less-resourced areas of the country.

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Future Outlook and Related Opportunities

As Brazil continues to invest in human capital development, initiatives like Programa Aurora position the country as a leader in gender-responsive research policy. Expanded calls and complementary programs could further strengthen the ecosystem for parent-researchers.

Academics interested in postdoctoral pathways in Brazil can explore related funding streams and career resources to complement such targeted support.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Inclusive Excellence

The CAPES Programa Aurora represents a meaningful investment in the sustainability of Brazil's scientific workforce. By directly addressing the intersection of motherhood and research careers, it advances both equity and excellence in higher education. As applications open and recipients begin their supported work, the program sets a precedent for thoughtful, evidence-based interventions that benefit individuals, institutions, and the broader research community.