National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil, Discuss Research and Innovation Collaboration to Drive Sustainable National Development
5 October 2025
On 5 October 2025, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, together with Ms. Sirinporn Deawtrakool, Deputy Executive Director, Professor Dr. Sanong Ekgasit, Associate Professor Dr. Anak Khantachawana, Associate Professor Dr. Dusit Athinuwat, Academic Advisory Committee, Ms. Kwansiri Chonyuth, Director of Group of International Affairs, and NRCT officials, held a meeting with the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil. The FAPESP delegation was led by Prof. Marcio de Castro Silva Filho, Scientific Director, and Prof. Niels Olsen, Assistant to the Scientific Director. The meeting took place during the STS forum 2025 – The 22nd Annual Meeting at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto), Kyoto, Japan.
Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), shared that as Thailand’s main research and innovation funding agency, NRCT supports not only research projects but also the development of national research infrastructure and the overall research ecosystem. Each year, NRCT provides funding for more than 1,500 research projects. The focus is on connecting different sectors and strengthening international collaboration to jointly advance knowledge and innovation that can address global challenges in a sustainable way.
Professor Marcio de Castro Silva Filho, Scientific Director of FAPESP, explained that FAPESP is the research funding agency of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. It receives a constitutionally mandated allocation of 1% of the state’s tax revenue to support research projects across all disciplines at universities and research institutes. FAPESP also offers funding opportunities for international researchers, including programs such as Postdoctoral Fellowships, the Young Investigator Award, and Visiting Researcher Grants. In addition, FAPESP conducts joint calls and co-funding projects with leading research organizations worldwide, including DFG (Germany), CAS (China), JSPS (Japan), NRF (Singapore), and the Belmont Forum.
The meeting marked an important step toward strengthening research and innovation collaboration between NRCT and FAPESP in areas of shared potential, such as environment, energy, medicine, and sustainability. This partnership is expected to help build stronger Thai–Brazilian research networks and expand collaboration to advance knowledge and innovation for the benefit of the region and the global community.
