The program supports innovative ideas with non-repayable grants and scholarships for the development of technology-based businesses
Fapesp (São Paulo State Research Support Foundation) has announced the call for proposals for the Centelha 3 São Paulo Program, an initiative that seeks to encourage the creation of technology-based businesses by supporting the transformation of innovative ideas into ventures with market potential. The Santo André Technology Park is helping to publicize this opportunity in the region.
The call for proposals is organized by the Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), through Finep (Funding Agency for Studies and Projects) and CNPq, as well as Confap (National Council of State Research Support Foundations) and the CERTI Foundation, and provides financial support in the form of non-reimbursable grants and scholarships for technological development and innovative extension.
In total, R$ 6 million in economic grant funds will be allocated to innovation projects. The call for proposals provides for support of up to R$ 128,000 per proposal, with funding allocated to up to 47 projects, subject to budget availability. The call also provides for the awarding of up to R$ 50,000 per project through CNPq’s Technological Development and Innovative Extension Grants.
For the Santo André Technology Park, this opportunity is directly linked to its mission of strengthening a culture of innovation, expanding access to funding instruments, and bringing together entrepreneurs, companies, the government, and science and technology institutions. The Park functions as an established governance network, bringing together stakeholders from the triple helix—government, businesses, and ICTs—to promote technological development, innovation, and competitiveness.
The initiative also aligns with the Park’s efforts to support entrepreneurship, open innovation, capacity building, technology services, and guidance on accessing funding. Through its business support services, the Park assists companies, startups, and researchers in identifying solutions tailored to their needs, including strategies for open innovation, funding, incubation, and acceleration.
Proposals may be submitted by individuals who do not have an incorporated company and by individuals representing formally incorporated companies, provided they meet the criteria set forth in the call for proposals. Proposals must present innovative products, services, or processes with the potential to become businesses that incorporate new or improved technologies.
The selection process will take place in two phases. Phase 1, for the submission of innovative ideas, will remain open until May 21, 2026. Phase 2, focused on the submission of grant proposals, will take place from July 23 to August 17, 2026. Proposals must be submitted exclusively through the Centelha System by 6:00 p.m. Brasília time on the deadline for each phase.
With the launch of Centelha 3 São Paulo, the Santo André Technology Park reinforces its role as a public hub for innovation, applied research, and technological development, helping promising ideas move toward the market, generate business, and strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem.
For more information, see Notice No. 18/2026 https://fapesp.br/18109/programa-nacional-de-apoio-a-geracao-de-empreendimentos-inovadores-programa-centelha-3-sao-paulo.
Text: Thiffani Valeriano