4 Knowledge cooperation, innovation and digitalisation
Brazil has a high-quality research, innovation and education sector and unique research infrastructure in several areas. Most Norwegian universities and technological research institutes already have agreements in the country, and Norway is an attractive partner. The Norwegian authorities want to strengthen the knowledge triangle, i.e. the link between research, education and innovation, in their cooperation with Brazil.
Knowledge cooperation with Brazil in a number of fields.
Knowledge cooperation between Norway and Brazil ranges from energy, ocean space, health, biology, engineering and digitalisation to nature management and diversity, land registration, social sciences, economics and art. Joint research production in the form of co-publications increased almost fivefold from 2010 to 2025. Knowledge cooperation has the potential to create sustainable solutions, increase expertise, improve welfare and strengthen competitiveness.
Through the Government’s Panorama strategy, Brazil is one of Norway’s prioritised countries for knowledge cooperation outside the EU. According to this strategy, knowledge cooperation with Brazil is based on principles linked to quality, relevance, reciprocity, long-term perspectives and accountability. International cooperation is also anchored in the Norwegian white papers “Long-term plan for research and higher education 2023–2032” and “A world of opportunities”, as well as in several bilateral agreements at government and institutional level.
Multilateral knowledge cooperation.
Multilateral arenas where both countries participate are valuable for strengthening the bilateral relationship and working together towards common goals. Examples of such arenas are the Belmont Forum, Mission Innovation, Erasmus+, the UN Global Digital Compact and the Digital Public Goods Alliance. There is great potential for collaboration between Norwegian knowledge environments and Brazilian partners through the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which is the world’s largest programme of its kind, and thus an important arena.
Close links between academia and business are very important because the knowledge produced must be utilised in society. The Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, and Innovation Norway all contribute to a good interplay between education, research and business. Together with the Ministry of Education and Research, these institutions have a knowledge and technology envoy in Brazil.
Instruments for higher education and research cooperation.
There are currently good instruments for cooperation between Norwegian and Brazilian students, researchers, institutions, businesses and authorities, but these instruments can be further developed and strengthened. Norwegian students receive extra travel support for exchange programmes in Brazil from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. Brazilians on exchange programmes in Norway can also receive grants and travel support through specific projects. Most of the Research Council of Norway’s calls for proposals are open to international collaboration, and Brazilian partners can receive funding in projects unless the call excludes it. Targeted instruments such as INTPART (International Partnerships for Excellent Education, Research and Innovation) and UTFORSK (a programme for educational collaboration for enhanced quality and relevance of higher education) strengthen research and education cooperation between Norway and Brazil.
Box 4.1 Academic collaboration on aquaculture
The Ålesund branch of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) leads an active network that includes seven educational institutions primarily in Norway and Brazil, as well as business partners in both countries. This project contributes to high quality education and research, as well as international cooperation in aquaculture. The collaboration has led to new research relationships, improved exchange possibilities, an increased number of joint applications to calls for proposals and cooperation in research education.
The industry partners strengthen the relevance of the educational programme and provide students and staff with valuable insight into complex issues in marine environments and aquaculture. Through interaction with the industry and other local stakeholders, the students also gain an understanding of social and economic aspects, which are crucial for the sustainable and responsible development of food production in aquaculture.
Energy and petroleum.
For several years, Norway and Brazil have enjoyed excellent knowledge cooperation in the energy and petroleum sectors. It is desirable to organise regular joint calls for proposals between the Research Council of Norway and its Brazilian counterpart Finep, and to increase the number of applications. The November Conference in Rio de Janeiro is a key arena for research and development players in the energy sector in both countries.
Climate, environment and food security.
Brazil has internationally recognised research environments within climate, the environment and food security. Increased knowledge cooperation, especially between educational institutions, researchers and businesses in this area will be of mutual benefit to both countries.
Digital innovation.
Norwegian authorities emphasise that Norwegian companies and research and development (R&D) institutions should collaborate with Brazilian partners to develop technological solutions. Norway and Brazil have significant potential for further cooperation in the area of digital infrastructure, particularly to help build capacity in developing countries, for example through the Digital Public Goods Alliance. There is a great need for the development of digital solutions and open data that help to solve the challenges in these areas.
Goal 4: Strengthened education, research and technology cooperation for increased Norwegian competitiveness and joint sustainable solutions.
Collaboration in the knowledge triangle.
Norway will strengthen the link between research, education and innovation in its cooperation with Brazil. Norway will better communicate opportunities for collaboration between Norwegian and Brazilian students, institutions, researchers and businesses. The aim is to facilitate knowledge exchange and development, as well as contribute to lasting mutual mobility of students and employees.
Knowledge in use.
Norway will strengthen knowledge cooperation on topics that are of mutual interest to our two countries and in line with agreements and other frameworks. The knowledge produced in the collaboration must be put to use in society, including through the commercialisation and upscaling of research results.
Multilateral cooperation.
Norway will promote increased cooperation between Norwegian and Brazilian research and educational institutions through multilateral initiatives involving both countries, such as the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Erasmus+, Mission Innovation and the Belmont Forum.
Energy and petroleum.
Norway will continue to build on the great knowledge cooperation with Brazil within energy and petroleum, and further develop the November Conference as the most important arena for research and development actors in the energy and petroleum sector in both countries.
Climate and the environment.
Norway will follow up the knowledge cooperation with Brazil in line with the Panorama strategy and the national and international research policy priorities in the field of climate and the environment.
Digitalisation.
Norway will strengthen its cooperation with Brazil on digital public infrastructure and open standards to contribute to competition and innovation, including in developing countries.
