This dynamic collaborative spirit was palpably on display during the recent FAPESP Week in London held at the prestigious Science Museum. The event, scheduled from June 2 to June 4, 2024, serves as a strategic platform designed to deepen and expand cooperative scientific endeavors between São Paulo’s researchers and their British counterparts. Its overarching mission is to unravel new dimensions of partnership, focusing on areas of mutual strategic interest that promise impactful scientific breakthroughs and societal benefits.

FAPESP President Marco Antonio Zago poignantly reflected on the tumultuous period since the last FAPESP Week in London in 2019, highlighting the profound disruptions wrought by the global pandemic. The world experienced the tragic loss of over seven million lives, including 600,000 in Brazil, and scientific pursuits were deeply impacted. Publication rates declined, academic exchanges halted, and research funding contracted sharply. Despite these headwinds, Zago emphasized the resilience and reinvigoration of the scientific community, underscoring how the current landscape is vastly transformed, with artificial intelligence taking precedence as a universal research priority reshaping the modalities of scholarship and peer evaluation.

Significant transformations within FAPESP itself mirror the evolving scientific ecosystem. The agency now disburses over 10,000 grants and scholarships annually, showcasing a remarkable expansion in capacity. It supports around 50 globally recognized research centers, half of which benefit from private sector co-funding. These include specialized entities such as Research, Innovation, and Dissemination Centers (RIDCs) and Applied Research Centers (ARCs), which serve as hubs of high-impact scientific and technological activity, fostering environments where academia and industry converge to accelerate innovation.

Among the strategic imperatives charted by FAPESP’s Board of Trustees for the forthcoming three years are seven thematic priorities designed to catalyze bilateral cooperation. These span the domains of biotechnology; energy transition; biodiversity and sustainable food production; digital transformation and artificial intelligence; quantum sciences and technologies; human and animal health; and issues of violence and public safety. Each theme resonates with both local relevance and global urgency, offering fertile ground for joint research ventures and technology development.

The economic and scientific heft of São Paulo further elevates the significance of this alliance. Accounting for 40% to 60% of Brazil’s scientific output, the state is a powerhouse in innovation and technology. It harbors approximately 22% of the nation’s technology workforce and more than half of its deep tech startups, underscoring its status as a vibrant hub for cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial activity. Educational institutions such as the University of São Paulo (USP), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and São Paulo State University (UNESP) consistently rank among Latin America’s elite, further bolstering the state’s intellectual foundation.

From the UK’s perspective, the partnership with São Paulo is heralded as one of the most enduring and effective models of international cooperation. Francis Wood, Director of International Partnerships at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), articulated the mutual benefits of this alliance. She underscored that the complexity of modern scientific challenges transcends borders and that collaborative endeavors are essential to addressing them. Despite internal organizational changes within UKRI, the commitment to international partnership remains resolute, aligning priorities closely with FAPESP in fields such as agrotechnology, biodiversity, and climate science.

Concrete collaborative initiatives illustrate the depth of this bilateral engagement. The Transatlantic Platform, jointly chaired by FAPESP and UKRI, exemplifies multinational coordination in the humanities and social sciences, enabling researchers to navigate British research councils under a responsive agreement established in 2009. In an emblematic move in 2024, the Medical Research Council launched a bilateral call focused on artificial intelligence applications in health, supported by a €6 million investment and yielding six funded collaborative projects. Partnerships with institutions like King’s College London and the University of Birmingham expand cooperation into environmental sciences, urban transport, and health, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this scientific diplomacy.

The strategic importance of São Paulo’s innovation ecosystem cannot be overstated. Despite the state encompassing a mere 3% of Brazil’s land area, it commands 70% of the country’s knowledge-based workforce, and its annual investment in research and development approaches BRL 1.8 billion, equating to 11% of its annual budget. São Paulo’s status as Latin America’s sole representative among the world’s top 100 startup ecosystems—rated 26th globally—further highlights its economic dynamism. Particularly in fintech, São Paulo boasts the world’s largest ecosystem. The state government’s role is characterized by support rather than intervention, nurturing nearly 100 innovation hubs comprising incubators, technology parks, and innovation districts that collectively house over 2,200 startups alongside 700 large companies.

Moreover, Brazil’s broader strategic vision integrates “innovation diplomacy” as a core element. Alexandre Brasil, Minister-Counselor at the Brazilian Embassy in London, elaborated on this approach, emphasizing science and technology as pivotal drivers not only of economic growth but also of national sovereignty, social equity, and global influence. Initiated in 2017, this program deploys science, technology, and innovation units across major Brazilian embassies and consulates. It leverages the quadruple helix model, which synergizes government, academia, industry, and civil society around common objectives, fostering international partnerships that transcend traditional diplomatic boundaries.

The selection of the British Science Museum as the venue for FAPESP Week London provided a symbolic backdrop linking scientific diplomacy with cultural engagement. Shri Mukundagiri, Deputy Executive Director of the museum, highlighted its historical ties to Brazil and the power of science communication to fortify international relationships. Recent exhibitions like “Amazonia,” “Water and Fire,” and an adaptation of “Injecting Hope”—chronicling the race for a COVID-19 vaccine—demonstrate the museum’s commitment to fostering mutual understanding through science, especially vital at a time when public trust in science faces unprecedented challenges in both the UK and Brazil.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of FAPESP Week is poised for continued expansion and impact. Initiated in Washington, D.C., in 2011, and subsequently hosted in Latin America and Europe, the event has catalyzed a measurable increase in joint research proposals, underscoring its role as a valuable facilitator of academic and technological exchange. Confirmed future editions in the Netherlands (October 2026) and Canada (2027) promise to sustain this momentum, creating sustained opportunities for networking, partnerships, and collaborative innovation across continents.

In sum, the São Paulo-UK scientific partnership illustrates an exemplary model of international cooperation, blending scientific excellence with strategic foresight. It exemplifies how science transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, becoming a catalyst for profound societal benefits and global progress. As technological frontiers advance and new challenges emerge, such partnerships will be indispensable in navigating the complex, interconnected future of research and innovation.

Subject of Research: International Scientific Collaboration, Artificial Intelligence, Energy Transition, Biotechnology, Biodiversity, Innovation Ecosystem

Article Title: São Paulo and the UK: Forging a Robust Scientific Partnership in the Age of Innovation

News Publication Date: June 2024

Web References:

• https://fapesp.br/week/2026/london
• https://agencia.fapesp.br/57682
• https://www.transatlanticplatform.com/
• https://www.sp.gov.br/sp/institucional/estrutura/secretarias/ciencia-tecnologia-inovacao
• https://fapesp.br/11698
• https://fapesp.br/16081

Keywords

Scientific collaboration, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy transition, biodiversity, innovation hubs, transatlantic partnerships, scientific diplomacy, research funding, São Paulo innovation ecosystem, UKRI partnership, science communication

FAPESP Week London emerges as a collaborative initiative orchestrated in partnership with notable institutions, including the Science Museum itself, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Royal Society, the British Academy, and the UK Science and Technology Network (STN) based in Brazil. This extraordinary alliance also benefits from the diplomatic support of the Brazilian Embassy in London. Together, these entities aim to fortify and expand scientific partnerships, delineating strategic domains that resonate deeply with shared research interests between São Paulo researchers and their British counterparts.

Marking its third iteration in the United Kingdom since previous editions in 2013 and 2019, the FAPESP Week series demonstrates the enduring relevance and strength of UK-São Paulo research ties. The United Kingdom stands as São Paulo’s second most significant scientific collaborator on a global scale, second only to the United States. This enduring partnership reflects vibrant, cross-border knowledge exchange and joint scientific production that propels innovative growth within both regions.

Raul Machado, FAPESP’s manager of institutional relations, emphasizes that the continuity in hosting this event within the UK is a testament to the robust capacity for joint research output between the São Paulo scientific community and British researchers. The symposium serves not only as a platform for showcasing established scientific work but also as a dynamic forum for unveiling new collaborative possibilities, particularly in emerging research areas aligned with FAPESP’s strategic priorities.

The program promises to convene leading experts from São Paulo and the UK to engage deeply with cutting-edge topics such as the global energy transition, breakthroughs in health and precision medicine, advances in artificial intelligence applied to societal challenges, and sustainable approaches to biodiversity, bioeconomy, and circular resource management. This diverse agenda is tailored to address some of the world’s most pressing and interdisciplinary scientific challenges, synergizing expertise from both regions to accelerate impactful discoveries.

A standout feature of this edition of FAPESP Week is the deliberate inclusion of dialogues centered on the role of science museums in science communication and education. This thematic strand connects the Science Museum’s long-standing mission with the São Paulo experience, particularly highlighting the Butantan Institute’s participation. Renowned for its robust technological research, the Butantan Institute will present an innovative joint exhibition in London as part of the event, symbolizing the fusion of scientific research and public engagement.

Machado clarifies that integrating museums into the symposium is a strategic decision, ensuring that the dissemination of scientific knowledge receives due prominence. The event’s program will underscore artificial intelligence as a pervasive theme interwoven throughout discussions. AI’s transformative potential pervades crucial sectors from healthcare diagnostics and treatments to pioneering technological innovations, making it a focal point that connects diverse research themes within the symposium.

Simultaneously, the Brazilian delegation will embark on a series of immersive visits to prominent British innovation hubs. These include the Data Science Institute at the London School of Economics, a nexus for data science and AI research, Genomics England, a governmental enterprise spearheading the integration of genomic medicine within the National Health Service, and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, a government-supported non-profit center dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing. These visits aim to deepen collaborative ties and knowledge exchange between São Paulo and leading UK scientific environments.

Adding another dimension to the event, five deep-tech startups backed by FAPESP’s Innovative Research in Small Businesses Program (PIPE)—namely SleepUp, Inovia, Fubá Educação Ambiental, @Tech, and Ciclou—will actively participate in the symposium. These startups exemplify the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem in São Paulo, bringing the latest scientific and technological innovations to the discussion and highlighting pathways from research to practical applications that solve real-world problems.

Since its inception in 2011, the FAPESP Week symposium series has been a catalyst for international scientific collaboration, successfully fostering partnerships between São Paulo researchers and global scientific communities. The direct result of these interactions is evident in the robust increase in jointly submitted research proposals following each symposium, underscoring the event’s tangible impact on scientific productivity and cross-border cooperation.

For instance, following the March 2025 FAPESP Week in Germany, the number of collaborative research proposals nearly doubled, rising from 294 to 582, reflecting a striking 98% increase. Similarly, the November 2024 symposium in Spain saw a 66.4% surge in submissions, and the June 2025 meeting in France generated a 51.3% uplift. Even in smaller scientific communities, such as Uruguay, the event spurred a significant increase in collaboration proposals, tripling submissions post-symposium from 18 to 51.

These powerful statistics validate FAPESP’s strategic emphasis on in-person scientific forums as instrumental in converting institutional dialogues into measurable research collaborations. Machado articulates that despite the natural occurrence of collaboration among international partners, dedicated and focused events create a unique environment that intensively channels attention toward cooperative endeavors, unlocking new levels of engagement and project generation.

The anticipation surrounding FAPESP Week London is that this milestone event will emulate previous successes, translating three days of rigorous debates and networking into a wave of joint research funding initiatives. This, in turn, will further amplify the internationalization of scientific work emerging from São Paulo, strengthening its global scientific footprint and reinforcing the dynamic partnership with the United Kingdom.

By bridging academia, innovation hubs, industry, and cultural institutions, FAPESP Week London exemplifies a model for multi-dimensional scientific collaboration that harnesses technological innovation and knowledge dissemination. This aligns with broader global trends emphasizing the integration of advanced scientific research, translational applications, and public engagement to address complex global challenges.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve as a transformative element across disciplines, shaping fields from precision health to resource sustainability, events like FAPESP Week become crucial platforms for aligning efforts, sharing expertise, and creating future-ready solutions. The convergence of scientific dialogue, technological innovation, and public science outreach at this symposium underscores the multifaceted approach necessary for advancing the frontiers of 21st-century science and technology.

Subject of Research:
Scientific collaboration and innovation in artificial intelligence, energy transition, precision medicine, biodiversity, and science dissemination.

Article Title:
FAPESP Week London: A Landmark Symposium Strengthening UK-São Paulo Scientific Collaboration at the Science Museum

News Publication Date:
Upcoming (June 2–4, event scheduled)

Web References:
https://fapesp.br/en/press/13742/

References:
Not provided in the original text.

Image Credits:
Not provided in the original text.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, Energy transition, Precision medicine, Biodiversity, Scientific collaboration, Science museums, Innovation hubs, Genomics England, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Deep-tech startups, Data science, International research partnerships