SENAI and SESI Put R$26 Million Towards Supporting Innovation

This is a guest post by Rene Fernandes from our media partner in Brazil, startupi.

Brazilian industries with innovative projects can participate in a new program from SENAI and SESI. Registration starts March 15th and runs until May 6th.

Selected businesses will receive technical and financial support for developing their products, improving their production processes and creating services that improve quality of life for workers or the community where the industry is located.

The program makes R$26 million available for this purpose. R$16 million was contributed by SENAI and R$7.4 million by SESI, with the remainder coming in the form of grants for the National Council on Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), earmarked for researchers who participate in the projects. This is far more than the R$15.5 million that was available in 2010. With the increase in available resources it will be possible to increase the number of projects selected to participate this year.

The goal is to support the development of 90 to 95 projects, up from just 77 in 2010.

The increase also means each accepted project can receive up to R$300,000, instead of the R$200,000 granted last year.

The resources can be used to purchase equipment or third party services, cover travel and consumables, and purchase software, laboratory materials and other goods.

The selected projects will be developed in partnership with SENAI and SESI. Those most related to technological innovations will work with SENAI, while those focused on improving worker lives will be supported by SESI. Projects that are both technological and social at the same time will be supported by both institutions.

To participate, businesses must present their projects to the regional departments of SENAI or SESI by the deadline. The details of the procedures are available on this website.

Only businesses that have been operating for more than one year may compete. They must be able to contribute at minimum 5% of the amount being requested from the program. The project must generate a final product, process or service that is innovative and adds value to the business and to the consumer market.

Good luck!

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