In an article published at the end of August in the Journal of Regional Science, researchers Tulio Chiarini, from CTS-Ipea, Marcia Siqueira Rapini, and Alexandre de Queiroz Stein, both from the Center for Development and Regional Planning at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), conducted a comprehensive analysis of academic collaborations within Brazil.

Their investigation encompassed nearly 9,000 collaborative endeavors involving 4,497 research groups within universities and 4,603 non-academic entities spread across all regions of the country. The research was conducted using data from the Census of the Directory of Research Groups on the CNPq Lattes Platform. Among their noteworthy findings, they uncovered that corporations are not the sole collaborators with universities. Many research groups also engage in projects with government agencies and third-sector organizations, such as trade unions, cooperatives, healthcare institutions, and foundations, which exhibit a localized presence.

Additionally, their study illuminated that research groups from universities located in the South and Southeast regions demonstrate a greater inclination to collaborate with partners from the same regions when compared to groups affiliated with institutions in the North, Northeast, and Midwest.

These conclusions underscore the imperative need for the development of policies and programs aimed at fostering university involvement with partners beyond corporations. This is particularly vital in peripheral regions, where the third sector possesses the potential to exert a significant influence on local development and contribute to the establishment of inclusive regional innovation systems.

For access to the full study, click here.