Not see the forest for the trees: studies on CNPq research funding

Abstract

Investing in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) is essential for the economic and social development of countries and regions. The way national funding systems are organized influences content and quality of research. In Brazil scientific literature on funding agencies is scarce and scattered, requiring further understanding of the relationships between STI policies, the role of funding agencies, and their effects on research. In this study we identify and evaluate scientific literature on the role of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), a key funding agency in the Brazilian research system. A review was conducted in the Scopus database selecting Ninety publications that evaluated CNPq funding. Information regarding scope, object of study, and variables included in each publication were examined. We found an excessive focus on the ex-ante scientific output of researchers, with few publications aiming on the effects of programs and initiatives. Future research needs to advance the understanding of the funding agencies’ role within public funding systems and the effects and impacts of research funding models.