Fapeg Announces Three New Public Notices for 2023 Developed to Encourage Women’s Participation in Academia and in Innovation
Expanding women’s participation in the fields of science and innovation is the goal of the program created by the Government of Goiás called Goianas in Science and Innovation, which was launched on Wednesday, 17, at HUB Goiás, in Goiânia. Through Goiás Social and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Secti), in partnership with the Research Support Foundation of the State of Goiás (Fapeg), the program provides for the promotion of public policies aimed at motivating, developing and supporting girls and women. in science, technology and innovation projects.
The launch event was attended by the First Lady and President of OVG, Gracina Cayado, Secti Holder, José Frederico Lira Neto, President of Fapeg, Robson Vieira, among other authorities. During the meeting, it was announced that three funding notices would be launched, starting in the first half of this year, which will include startups, projects by Scientific and Technological Innovation Institutions (ICT), undergraduate and postgraduate students and professors.
The expectations are that R$ 4.5 million will be invested, which will benefit approximately 2,500 women in different age groups (children, youth and adults), both with the new notices of incentive grants via Fapeg and the use of structures and programs already in place in government institutions, such as Sukatech, Laboratories and Escolas do Futuro in Goias. These three Fapeg public notices are trying to broach a little bit the issue of demand and presence of women in some fields, like exact sciences and engineering, where we have little participation from researchers. The same thing happens in innovation, ”explains the head of Fapeg.
The program was divided into three phases: Awakening, Evolution, and Acceleration. Initially, projects will be developed that will interest girls and teens in science. In the second phase, projects aimed at science undertakings and initiatives led by women will be selected. Phase 3 encourages startups and scientists in graduate schools, especially those focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “We can’t leave half of our talents on the bench. We need everyone! And we’ve met so many inspiring women. What if we could make their way easier?” asks Secretary Jose Frederico Lira Neto.
Gracinha Caiado sees the position taken by the Goiás government as pioneering. “The country takes an avant-garde approach when it comes to technology and training in science. We want more women working in all fields every day, and why not also work in science and technology?”, comments the head of the OVG.
Wake up, develop, speed up
To bring girls closer to technology and introduce them to computational thinking, Include Labs will offer places for girls and young adults, ages 8-20, in core courses in Robotics and Programming, with Use and Creation of Digital Tools, and the Internet of Things lasting 4 months. The vacancies offered by the laboratories will be increased by 60% to meet this new demand, with a total of 900 vacancies in 26 units located in the 23 municipalities of Goiás. Registration begins July 3 and classes begin July 31.
In Sukatech, with a unit in Goiânia, every two months, lessons will be offered exclusively for the female audience, in basic computer courses (for 4 weeks); Assemble and maintain computers (duration 04 weeks); and robotics (duration 6 weeks). There will be 50 vacancies in every two months, in addition to booking vacancies in other quarters. Registration is now open and classes begin May 22nd.
Through Fapeg, up to five initiatives or demonstration projects of Science and Technology Innovation (ICT) institutions in Goiás that promote the attraction, participation and retention of vulnerable and low-income girls in STEM careers and that promote discussions on topics relevant to gender equality will be selected. The public notice is scheduled for the second half of 2023.
For women scientists or entrepreneurs who still do not have a company or business plan, the Escola do Futuro de Goiás (EFG) units will provide support for the development of products or services. 1,500 hours of mentor and consultant assistance will be provided, assisting up to 12 ideas or projects in a 4-month cycle.
The goal is to bring more women-led companies to market. The program also mandates the launch of an annual public notice, via EFGs, aimed at attracting and promoting women-led business ideas. The first notice is scheduled to be published in July.
To encourage Goiás women in research in innovation, inclusion and technology, Fapeg will also offer Starting Science Scholarships to students and professors of higher education courses, from public and private institutions. With an investment of over R$700,000, Fapeg will launch its public notice in September this year.
Scientific research will be accepted in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Big Data; agribusiness, logistics, transportation, mining, industrial food production, industrial production of pharmaceuticals and chemicals; Renewable energies, the environment, sustainable development and digital transformation; collective health and public policies for people with disabilities, vocational and technological education, and educational policy evaluation; and applied social sciences.
Goiás na Ciência e Inovação also provides financial support to startups that are led by women or have at least 50% female in their corporate structure, through public notices of incubation, acceleration, and open innovation procedures. Initially, ten startups will be assisted, with an average support of R$50,000 per startup per cycle. The first notice is scheduled to be published in the second half of this year.
The program will also encourage female scientists to graduate. Through Fapeg, up to ten projects in AI and ten more in STEM will be selected, with a financial contribution of R$60,000 and R$50,000, respectively. The aim is to increase the presence of female graduate and master’s students, doctors, and female entrepreneurs in these fields, as well as to promote AI startups led by women. Public notice will be released in the second semester.
Radar de Fomentos para Elas will monitor and publish various public notices to promote research, technological development and innovation projects targeting women. The aim is to encourage the entry and training of girls and women in science, technology and innovation, particularly black and indigenous girls.
Actions will be prioritized and will not be limited to knowledge areas of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Computing, focusing on students from high school, including Education for Youth (EJA) and Career and Technology Education, to postgraduate studies. It is estimated that every year it will be possible to attend, at least, ICT projects and schools of the State Education Network, which covers more than 1,500 people from Goiás.
Women in Science
According to UNESCO data, the average number of women in computing courses in Brazil is only 6 for a group of 30 students, which is 13%. However, according to UNESCO, only 30% of scientists in the world are women. In Brazil, the percentage is even smaller: they occupy only 14% of positions in the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.
Fapeg Communications Office with information from the Sector Communication Office
Photos: Hyejun Correh and Juliana Deniz
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