Research and Innovation background
- National Logistics Plan: The original version was planned to cover the period up to 2035 (PNL 2035) as a strategic planning framework guiding transport research priorities in multimodal freight and passenger transport, supporting modelling, digital logistics tools, and sustainable corridor development). A revised and expanded long term logistics and transport planning framework, incorporating sustainability constraints, fiscal feasibility, multimodal integration, advanced data modelling, and long term R&I needs for freight and passenger systems is now being finalised as PNL 2050.
- National Policy for Urban Mobility(Law No. 12.587/2012 – still in force): Brazil’s legal framework for sustainable urban mobility, prioritising public transport, active mobility, accessibility, and integration, and underpinning R&I in urban transport systems and digital platforms. Under this policy, major metropolitan areas (e.g. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte) implement research driven pilots in electric buses, MaaS platforms, and intelligent transport systems.
- RenovaBio – National Biofuels Policy: A core transport decarbonisation policy using lifecycle‑based carbon intensity metrics and tradable CBIO credits, driving innovation in biofuels for road transport and aviation. The updated version, including new obligations, came into force in 2024.
- Fuel of the Future Law: A complementary legislative framework, which came into forces in 2024, introducing new programmes for sustainable aviation fuels, biomethane, green diesel, and low‑carbon mobility, with direct implications for transport R&I in fuels and engines.
- 30‑Year Urban Mobility Investment and Planning Initiative: Covering 2025 to 2054, a large‑scale, data‑driven national planning exercise for high‑capacity urban transport (metro, suburban rail, BRT), providing a research and modelling foundation for future urban mobility systems.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation: Leads national research policy, oversees federal R&I funding agencies, and coordinates sectoral research priorities including transport.
- Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP):The main federal innovation funding agency, managing transport‑relevant sectoral funds and targeted calls across the R&I chain.
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq): Provides grants and scholarships supporting transport‑related academic research, modelling, and human capital development.
- Ministry of Transport / Ministry of Ports and Airports: Responsible for transport policy, logistics planning, and innovation priorities in road, rail, port, and airport systems.
- Sectoral Regulatory Agencies (ANTT,ANAC, ANTAQ): Support applied research, regulatory sandboxes, and innovation in land transport, aviation, and waterborne transport respectively.
- Transport Engineering Departments at Federal Universities: Conduct applied research in freight logistics, transport modelling, sustainable urban mobility, and infrastructure systems.
- Mobility Observatories and Think Tanks: Support evidence‑based policy design on decarbonisation pathways, urban mobility systems, and logistics efficiency.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- FINEP Sectoral Funds: Provide reimbursable and non‑reimbursable funding for transport R&I projects in road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors, including materials, digital systems, and low‑carbon technologies.
- National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development: The main federal financial instrument supporting sector‑oriented R&I, including large‑scale transport innovation programmes.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)