For Brazil's top researchers, the CNPq Productivity Scholarship isn't just funding—it's the ultimate recognition of a life dedicated to science.
Imagine a scholarship so prestigious that being awarded it places you among the scientific elite of an entire nation. This is the reality for recipients of Brazil's CNPq Research Productivity Scholarship, known locally as 'bolsa PQ'. In a country that has risen to become the 13th largest producer of scientific knowledge globally, this fellowship identifies and supports the very researchers driving this output .
For the scientists who hold this fellowship, it represents both immense honor and profound responsibility—a recognition of past achievements and an investment in future discoveries that can shape Brazil's scientific landscape.
The Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, established the Research Productivity Scholarship in the 1970s to recognize scientists with outstanding contributions in their respective fields 1 . This isn't an ordinary research grant—it's a competitive fellowship awarded based on a rigorous evaluation of a researcher's entire scientific trajectory.
To be considered, researchers must undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their curriculum vitae, publications, mentorship activities, and overall scientific impact 1 . The selection process is notoriously demanding, with only a fraction of applicants succeeding each year. In 2023 alone, just 42 of 189 dentistry researchers who applied were awarded this coveted scholarship 1 .
Further subdivided into levels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D—reserved for the most established scientists
For researchers establishing their scientific careers 1
A recent comprehensive study examining CNPq Research Productivity Fellows in Dentistry provides fascinating insights into the profile and productivity of these scientific leaders. The 2024 analysis evaluated 217 active fellows across six specialized areas 1 .
| Research Area | Total Researchers | Male (%) | Female (%) | Level 2 Scholarship (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomaterials, Prosthodontics, and Restorative Dentistry | 61 | 50.8% | 49.2% | 63.9% |
| Public Health and Epidemiology | 8 | 62.5% | 37.5% | 50% |
| Oral Pathology, Stomatology, and Dental Radiology | 34 | 58.8% | 41.2% | 44.1% |
| Pediatric Dentistry and Child Health | 26 | 57.7% | 42.3% | 53.8% |
| Dental Clinic | 60 | 56.7% | 43.3% | 63.3% |
| Basic Areas | 28 | 60.7% | 39.3% | 53.6% |
| Overall | 217 | 56.2% | 43.8% | 58.1% |
Table 1: Demographic distribution of CNPq Research Productivity Fellows in Dentistry 1
The field is predominantly male (56.2%), with the highest representation in the Southeast region of Brazil (73.73%), while the North region had no fellows 1 .
The majority of researchers held level 2 scholarships (55.8%), indicating a healthy pipeline of developing scientific talent 1 .
What does it take to become a CNPq Research Productivity Fellow? The path requires excellence across multiple dimensions of scientific activity beyond just publications.
Productivity fellows maintain exceptional publication records. A similar study of CNPq fellows in Medicine found that 542 researchers published 76,512 articles throughout their careers—a median of 119 articles per researcher 6 . Nearly half (47.8%) of these publications were indexed in the Web of Science, demonstrating international visibility and relevance 6 .
Citation impact is another crucial metric. The Medicine researchers were cited 643,159 times in the Web of Science database, with a median of 754 citations per researcher 6 . Significant differences in citation rates existed across specialty areas and scholarship categories, highlighting how research impact varies across fields 6 .
Beyond their own research, PQ fellows bear significant responsibility for training the next scientific generation. The study of dentistry researchers examined mentorship activities across different specialties, revealing fascinating patterns in how these scientific leaders nurture talent.
| Research Area | Undergraduate Students | Master's Students | PhD Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health and Epidemiology | Lower average | Highest average | Moderate average |
| Pediatric Dentistry and Child Health | High average | Moderate average | Lower average |
| Dental Clinic | High average | Moderate average | Lower average |
| Basic Areas | High average | Moderate average | Lower average |
Table 2: Mentorship patterns across different dental research specialties 1
Notably, Public Health and Epidemiology stood out as the only area with a higher average supervision of master's students than both undergraduate and PhD students 1 . This unique mentorship pattern suggests field-specific approaches to research training and team composition.
CNPq Research Productivity Fellows employ a sophisticated array of tools and platforms to conduct and disseminate their research. These resources form the essential infrastructure supporting Brazil's scientific enterprise.
Primary Function: National curriculum database
Significance: Mandatory profile for all Brazilian researchers; documents entire scientific trajectory 1
Primary Function: Citation indexing and research impact tracking
Significance: Essential for demonstrating international reach and citation impact 1
Primary Function: Abstract and citation database
Significance: Alternative metrics for research impact; broader journal coverage 1
Primary Function: Open-access platform for Latin American journals
Significance: Key for regional dissemination and impact; important for local research contexts 1
Primary Function: Research groups directory
Significance: Official mapping of Brazilian research teams and collaborations 7
The impact of CNPq Research Productivity Fellows extends far beyond their immediate research outputs. These scientists play crucial roles in shaping Brazil's entire scientific ecosystem through participation in editorial boards, peer review processes, and science policy committees.
Many fellows also contribute to scientific outreach and public communication, bridging the gap between specialized knowledge and society. As one CNPq president noted, Brazil's challenge lies in transforming its strong scientific production into tangible innovation: "We are the 13th country in scientific knowledge production but only 62nd in innovation" .
Brazil's position in global scientific knowledge production
Brazil's position in global innovation ranking
The fellowship also creates important international connections. Brazil's scientific prominence in areas like Tropical Medicine, Dentistry, Parasitology, and Zika virus research has global implications 1 . These connections facilitate knowledge exchange and position Brazil as a crucial player in addressing global health and environmental challenges.
The CNPq Research Productivity Scholarship program represents a critical investment in human capital for Brazil's scientific and technological development. By supporting its most productive researchers, Brazil maintains capacity in strategic fields while encouraging the systematic training of new scientists through mentorship.
Recent developments suggest an evolving program. In 2024 alone, CNPq announced investments of approximately R$600 million for over 5,700 productivity scholarships 2 . The program has also updated its categorization system, removing number 1 from the initial categories (A-D) and replacing level 2 with E 1 .
Invested in productivity scholarships in 2024 2
Productivity scholarships funded in 2024 2
For the individual researcher, receiving a PQ scholarship is both a culmination of years of dedicated work and a launching pad for future scientific exploration. It provides not just financial support, but peer recognition, academic freedom, and the opportunity to mentor the next generation of scientists who will continue Brazil's tradition of scientific excellence.
As Brazil continues to navigate the complex landscape of global science and technology, the CNPq Research Productivity Fellows will undoubtedly remain at the forefront—pushing boundaries, training new talent, and contributing to both national development and the global repository of knowledge.