05/01/2023

Serrapilheira and Faperj launch call for proposals for Black and Indigenous people.

The Serrapilheira Institute , in an unprecedented partnership with the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Faperj) , has launched a new public call for proposals aimed at Black and Indigenous scientists. Up to R$ 10.2 million will be available for scholarships and research investments. The full call for proposals will be published in the second half of January, and the application period is from March 21 to April 24, 2023.

The aim of this call for proposals is to stimulate the exchange of ideas among scientists – who, in the case of this call, will need to work specifically in ecology . Young scientists who have completed their doctorate in any area of scientific knowledge between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022, are eligible to participate – this period can be extended by up to two years for women with children. Candidates must not have any type of employment relationship with science and technology institutions (ICTs).

According to the announcement, those selected will join research groups in the state of Rio de Janeiro where they have neither graduated nor worked before. The researchers, who will work as postdoctoral fellows, may therefore come from different institutions, cities, states, or even countries: the greater the mobility, the better.

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“We want to circulate new ideas and foster diversity among research groups, helping to break down the perpetuation of lines of thought that we know exist in the academic environment,” says Cristina Caldas, Science Director at Serrapilheira.

With this initiative, Serrapilheira and Faperj aim to promote new lines of research in ecology formulated by Black and Indigenous postdoctoral researchers who aspire to obtain permanent positions in the medium term. The eight selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R $ 8,000, in addition to up to R $ 700,000 for research funding over three years, renewable for another two years. A further R$ 100,000 will also be made available specifically for the integration and training of people from underrepresented groups in research teams.

“By joining the Serrapilheira Institute in this endeavor to foster research in a field like ecology, which is under the world spotlight and has been so mistreated in our country, we believe we are fulfilling our role for future generations. And when we direct this call for proposals to talented young Black and Indigenous people, we believe we are repaying our debts to the past,” stated Jerson Lima Silva, president of Faperj.