Deadline: 10-Aug-2026

The FAPESP Regular Research Grant supports internationally competitive research projects led by Principal Investigators affiliated with public or private research institutions in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The programme funds research across all areas of knowledge and provides support for equipment, consumable materials, and research-related services for projects lasting up to 36 months.

Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent qualification, demonstrate research productivity and international academic engagement, and maintain an institutional link with a São Paulo-based research institution. Exceptional projects may receive funding above R$ 600,000 with strong justification.

What Is the FAPESP Regular Research Grant?

The Regular Research Grant is a funding programme offered by FAPESP to support high-quality scientific and academic research projects in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The programme is designed to help researchers conduct internationally competitive investigations across multiple disciplines, while strengthening research capacity, scientific collaboration, and institutional development.

The grant supports both experienced researchers and promising early-stage institutional researchers with demonstrated scientific potential.

Main Objectives of the Programme

The FAPESP Regular Research Grant aims to:

Support internationally competitive research
Strengthen scientific innovation in São Paulo
Promote high-quality academic research
Encourage international collaboration
Develop institutional research capacity
Support early-career and established researchers
Advance scientific knowledge across disciplines

Research Areas Supported

The programme supports research projects across all major areas of knowledge, including:

Natural sciences
Engineering
Health sciences
Social sciences
Humanities
Agricultural sciences
Technology and innovation
Interdisciplinary research

Projects should demonstrate scientific relevance, methodological quality, and potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

Funding Details

Grant Duration

The standard funding period is:

Up to 36 months

Extension Possibility

Under exceptional and well-justified circumstances, projects may receive:

An additional extension of up to 6 months

Extensions require prior approval and clear scientific justification.

Funding Limits

Standard Budget Expectations

Projects are generally expected to remain within:

R$ 600,000 total project budget

This amount excludes:

Technical Reserve
Institutional Technical Reserve

Exceptional Budget Requests

Projects exceeding R$ 600,000 may only be approved in exceptional and strongly justified situations.

Applicants requesting larger budgets must provide detailed scientific and financial justification.

Eligible Research Expenses

The grant may fund:

Permanent Equipment

Research-related equipment required for project implementation.

However:

The programme is not intended for large equipment acquisitions
Individual equipment items should generally remain below R$ 150,000

Consumable Materials

This includes:

Laboratory supplies
Chemicals
Research materials
Fieldwork consumables
Data collection materials

Third-Party Services

The grant may support:

Domestic service providers
International specialized services
Technical services
Research-related outsourced activities

Who Is Eligible?

Principal Investigator Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a doctoral degree or equivalent qualification
Demonstrate scientific competence and research productivity
Show experience leading research projects or strong research potential
Maintain an employment relationship with a São Paulo-based research institution

International Research Experience

The academic background of the Principal Investigator should demonstrate:

International research experience after the doctorate, OR
Active participation in international collaborative research networks

Institutional Affiliation

Applicants must be affiliated with:

Public research institutions in São Paulo
Private research institutions in São Paulo

Retired Professors

Retired professors may apply if they maintain formal institutional links and provide appropriate documentation.

Additional Eligibility Conditions

Applicants must also:

Be current with all FAPESP reporting obligations
Submit pending scientific reports and accountability documents
Provide information about overlapping or related funding support
Comply with all FAPESP regulations and grant conditions

Roles and Responsibilities

Principal Investigator (PI)

The PI is responsible for:

Scientific leadership
Administrative coordination
Budget oversight
Research execution
Compliance with FAPESP requirements

Associate Researchers

Associate Researchers contribute to:

Specific research activities
Technical tasks
Collaborative project components
Specialized scientific contributions

Host Institution Responsibilities

The Host Institution must provide:

Laboratory infrastructure
Research facilities
Library access
Technical support services
Institutional research support

Research Compliance Requirements

During the grant period, researchers must comply with all FAPESP policies and regulations.

Reporting Obligations

Researchers are required to submit:

Scientific progress reports
Financial accountability reports
Final project reports

Reports must be submitted on time according to programme requirements.

Publication Acknowledgement

All publications resulting from the funded project must acknowledge FAPESP support.

Research Data Management

Researchers are expected to:

Maintain proper research data management
Preserve research integrity
Support reproducibility where applicable

Open Access Requirements

Whenever possible, scientific outputs should be made openly accessible.

Restrictions and Approval Requirements

Researchers must seek prior approval before:

Making major project modifications
Changing budget allocations significantly
Altering project objectives
Accepting overlapping funding support

Failure to obtain approval may affect grant compliance.

Why This Grant Matters

Strengthening Research in São Paulo

The programme helps maintain São Paulo’s position as one of Latin America’s leading research and innovation ecosystems.

Supporting International Competitiveness

By encouraging international collaboration and research excellence, the grant promotes globally competitive scientific output.

Supporting Early-Career Researchers

The programme also provides opportunities for emerging institutional researchers to establish independent scientific careers.

Advancing Scientific Infrastructure

Funding supports laboratories, technical resources, and research capacity development across institutions.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should verify:

Doctoral qualification status
Institutional affiliation
FAPESP compliance status
Research productivity requirements

Step 2: Develop a Strong Research Proposal

Applications should clearly describe:

Research objectives
Scientific relevance
Methodology
Expected outcomes
Innovation potential
Timeline and milestones

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Applicants should include:

Equipment costs
Consumable materials
Service contracts
Personnel-related research expenses where applicable

All costs must be scientifically justified.

Step 4: Demonstrate Research Capacity

The proposal should include evidence of:

Previous publications
International collaboration
Research leadership
Institutional support

Step 5: Submit Required Documentation

Applicants should provide:

Research proposal
Curriculum vitae
Institutional documentation
Budget plan
Additional compliance materials

Tips for a Strong Application

Highlight International Collaboration

Projects with international partnerships and networks may be viewed more competitively.

Provide Clear Scientific Impact

Explain how the project contributes to advancing knowledge in the field.

Keep Equipment Requests Reasonable

Avoid large equipment purchases that fall outside programme priorities.

Ensure Institutional Support

Demonstrate that the Host Institution can provide necessary infrastructure.

Maintain FAPESP Compliance

Outstanding reports or unresolved obligations may affect eligibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overly Expensive Equipment Requests

Large equipment acquisitions may reduce proposal competitiveness.

Weak Research Methodology

Applications should include rigorous and clearly defined methods.

Missing Compliance Documentation

Incomplete applications may face delays or rejection.

Insufficient International Engagement

The programme values international research experience and collaboration.

Poor Budget Justification

All requested expenses should directly support project objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum project duration?

Projects may receive funding for up to 36 months, with possible extensions of up to 6 additional months in exceptional cases.

Who can apply?

Researchers holding a doctoral degree and affiliated with research institutions in São Paulo, Brazil, may apply if they meet FAPESP eligibility requirements.

Can retired professors apply?

Yes. Retired professors with formal institutional links may apply with appropriate documentation.

What expenses are eligible for funding?

The grant may support permanent equipment, consumable materials, and domestic or international third-party services related to the research project.

Is there a budget limit?

Projects are generally expected to remain below R$ 600,000, excluding Technical Reserve and Institutional Technical Reserve amounts.

Are large equipment purchases allowed?

The programme is not intended to fund large equipment acquisitions. Individual equipment items should generally remain below R$ 150,000.

Do applicants need international research experience?

Yes. Applicants should demonstrate international postdoctoral research experience or active participation in international research collaborations.

Conclusion

The FAPESP Regular Research Grant provides substantial support for high-quality, internationally competitive research projects conducted in São Paulo, Brazil.

By funding research infrastructure, scientific collaboration, and innovative investigations across multiple disciplines, the programme strengthens Brazil’s research ecosystem while supporting both experienced and emerging researchers.

Applicants with strong scientific track records, international engagement, clear methodologies, and well-justified budgets are likely to be best positioned for success under this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit FAPESP.