Brazil’s international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

This article intends to discuss Brazil’s international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic through the analysis of the bilateral initiatives conducted by the country from January to July 2020. The research was based mainly on an investigation in websites of key Brazilian ST&I actors from the Executive level, considering Ministries and their related institutions. In order to develop this research, firstly, we presented the relation between Covid-19 and ST&I. Secondly, we analyzed the arguments about international cooperation in ST&I within the current pandemic scenario. Thirdly, we presented data about ST&I in Brazil and a discussion about its activities within ST&I international cooperation. The fourth and last point consisted of developing a framework about the collected initiatives of Brazilian international cooperation in ST&I, followed by a reflection especially involving actors and areas. Our analysis showed that Brazil is notoriously cooperating in distinct areas of ST&I, many of them related to the country’s strategic interests; however, there is a highlight to initiatives in the health area and connected to Covid-19, due to the analyzed context. In relation to partner countries, it is noticed that most of the interactions are carried out with developed countries, although relations with developing countries are also observed, especially the prominent cooperation with India.