The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Marco Antonio Raupp, visited the Foundation for Research Support of São Paulo (FAPESP) on Monday (27). Accompanied by Secretary of Research and Development Policies and Programs of the MCTI, Carlos Nobre, he was greeted by the president and scientific director of the institution, Celso Lafer and Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz.
The purpose of the visit, according to Raupp, was to "increase and qualify" the projects in partnership with the entity. The minister pointed out that some of the projects "mobilizers of public policy on science and technology" are in Sao Paulo, as the first multipurpose nuclear reactor. The purposes of the equipment are the production of radioisotopes for use in nuclear medicine and research in various fields such as energy, agriculture, industry and environment.
"We already have well established partnerships with FAPESP at the federal institutes such as the supercomputer at Inpe for climate research. But we want the institution's participation also in new projects, "said Marco Antonio Raupp.
Celso Lafer said that the area of science, technology and innovation is of national interest. "It is a chapter of state policy, not government. We looked at this with the prospect of Sao Paulo, our base, but as a matter of the country, that we must cooperate and help, "he said.
Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, in turn, said that FAPESP has an interest in collaborating with the ministry, as we have been doing in the case of the National Institutes of Science and Technology (INCTs). The program was launched in 2008 by the federal government, with resources of about $ 600 million achieved in partnership with foundations that support research in the state.