Brazil launches R$ 5 million fund for traditional culture and higher education

The Brazilian Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture have launched a R$ 5 million public call for proposals titled ‘Ciclos de Saberes de Mestras e Mestres das Culturas Tradicionais e Populares e das Artes’. The initiative aims to integrate traditional and popular cultural knowledge with university teaching, research, and extension programs.

Applications are open exclusively to Federal Higher Education Institutions (IFES) from Tuesday (29) until Sunday (4) at 23:59 Brasília time. Each institution may submit only one proposal, which must include mandatory partnerships with masters of traditional and popular cultures and arts, as well as participation from local education secretariats or public basic education schools.

The funding is divided into two categories:

Category A focuses on regional articulation, offering up to R$ 500,000 per project for up to seven selected projects. These must involve at least ten masters, cover three municipalities, and reach five public schools.

Category B focuses on the local context of the institution, offering up to R$ 250,000 per project for up to six selected projects. These must involve at least five masters, one municipality, and three public schools.

In both categories, at least 40% of the project funds must be allocated to paying the participating masters. The selection process will ensure representation from each of Brazil's five macro-regions.