São Paulo is the scientific powerhouse of Latin America, home to the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), UNICAMP, FAPESP — one of the world’s most innovative research funding foundations — and the renowned Instituto Butantan. Melan works with teams across Brazil’s research ecosystem to structure partnerships that connect Latin American science with global industry.
The São Paulo Research Partnership Landscape
Brazil’s research ecosystem is concentrated in São Paulo state, which produces more than 40% of the country’s scientific output. Universidade de São Paulo (USP) is Latin America’s largest and most prestigious research university, with strengths across all scientific disciplines. UNICAMP (University of Campinas) is a leading research university particularly strong in engineering, computer science, and biomedical sciences. FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) is one of the world’s most innovative research funding agencies, known for its long-term thematic research programs and strong industry-academia partnership models. Instituto Butantan is a world-class biomedical research center and one of the world’s largest vaccine and serum producers.
Corporate R&D presence in São Paulo includes research centers and innovation labs operated by Petrobras, Vale, Embraer, embraer, BASF, IBM Research, and Google. The Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and the Brazilian Innovation Agency provide substantial funding for industry-academia collaboration. FAPESP’s innovative PIPE and PITE programs specifically fund research partnerships between universities and companies.
Brazil’s research landscape is defined by its remarkable biodiversity, its leadership in tropical medicine and agricultural science, and a research community that produces high-impact science despite chronic funding constraints. Melan navigates this ecosystem to help international partners access Brazilian research capacity in priority areas from climate science to bioenergy.
What Melan Does for Teams in São Paulo
Melan helps organizations across Brazil form research partnerships that leverage the country’s unique scientific strengths and its position as Latin America’s innovation leader.
For corporate R&D teams: We map Brazilian research partners aligned with your priorities — from USP’s extraordinary breadth across all scientific fields to UNICAMP’s engineering excellence and Instituto Butantan’s biomedical capabilities. We structure partnerships that access FAPESP and federal research funding programs.
For São Paulo universities and research institutes: We help TTOs and research offices identify international corporate partners who value Brazilian research excellence, navigate the complex landscape of Brazilian research funding and IP regulations, and structure collaborations that maximize commercial impact.
For international organizations and foundations: We provide strategic guidance on engaging with Brazil’s research ecosystem — from joint programs in tropical medicine and vaccine development to partnerships in agricultural science, bioenergy, and climate research.
FAQ
How does Melan help companies partner with USP or FAPESP-funded programs?
We map the specific research groups and PIs aligned with your priorities, then approach USP’s Innovation Agency (AUSPIN) or FAPESP with a pre-structured framework tailored to Brazil’s research collaboration models and funding programs.
What makes São Paulo unique for research partnerships?
São Paulo combines Latin America’s largest research university, one of the world’s most innovative research foundations (FAPESP), and a concentration of corporate R&D that is unmatched in the region — all operating in a country of immense biodiversity and scientific opportunity.
Does Melan work with agricultural and bioenergy companies?
Yes. We work with companies seeking Brazilian research partnerships across tropical medicine, agricultural sciences, bioenergy and ethanol research, climate science, and aerospace engineering — fields where Brazilian institutions are recognized global leaders.
How do I start a research partnership in São Paulo?
Contact Melan at themelan.com/contact-us. We discuss your R&D priorities and map the Brazilian research ecosystem to identify the right collaborators for your goals.
Ready to form a research partnership in São Paulo?
Melan helps corporate R&D teams, universities, and research institutes across São Paulo structure successful research collaborations.
