The BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Framework Programme has officially launched the Pilot STI Flagship Projects Call 2026, inviting researchers, scientists, academic institutions, and innovation stakeholders from BRICS member countries to submit collaborative research and development proposals.

The call seeks to fund large-scale, mission-oriented projects that address critical global and societal challenges while strengthening scientific cooperation among BRICS nations. Applications are open until 16 June 2026 at 15:00 UTC+3 (Moscow Time).

The initiative is jointly supported by national funding agencies from Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and South Africa, with each organization funding researchers and institutions within its respective country.

Objective of the BRICS STI Flagship Projects Programme

The BRICS STI Framework Programme aims to support interdisciplinary research projects that deliver measurable scientific, technological, economic, and societal impact. The flagship projects are expected to:

Address common challenges faced by BRICS countries
Promote long-term international scientific cooperation
Strengthen innovation ecosystems
Support technological advancement and commercialization
Enhance research capacity and knowledge exchange
Develop scalable solutions with long-term growth potential

Projects should be led by accomplished scientists and research teams with strong records of excellence and innovation.

Priority Research Themes for 2026

The Pilot STI Flagship Projects Call focuses on three strategic thematic areas.

1. Digital Earth

The Digital Earth theme seeks to improve weather and climate prediction systems across BRICS nations through advanced Earth system modelling and artificial intelligence technologies.

Projects are expected to:

Develop cutting-edge Earth system digital twins
Improve forecasting of climate and weather extremes
Enhance disaster preparedness and early warning systems
Strengthen resilience in urban environments
Promote data sharing and technology exchange among BRICS partners

Priority areas include:

Flood prediction
Drought forecasting
Wildfire monitoring
Air quality assessment
Climate risk management
Urban environmental resilience

The programme also emphasizes training future scientists and operational forecasters in advanced AI and physical prediction tools.

2. Psycho-Molecular Tools

Mental and cognitive health challenges are increasing across BRICS countries due to urbanization, chronic stress, demographic changes, technological transformation, and socioeconomic pressures.

This flagship initiative aims to develop objective, scalable, and data-driven tools for assessing and monitoring mental health conditions.

Key objectives include:

Early detection of mental health disorders
Monitoring cognitive decline
Supporting clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions
Combining molecular and biochemical markers with behavioral data
Utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced analytics

The programme encourages harmonized data collection and collaborative research protocols that can be adapted across different BRICS countries while addressing country-specific healthcare challenges.

3. BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network

The third thematic area focuses on establishing a collaborative network of astronomical telescopes and advanced data infrastructure across BRICS nations.

The initiative aims to:

Expand multi-wavelength sky surveys
Monitor transient astronomical phenomena
Develop innovative big data solutions for astronomy
Enhance high-performance computing capabilities
Support participation in major international scientific projects

The network will leverage existing and planned research facilities while promoting cooperation between universities, research institutes, and industry partners.

The programme is also expected to contribute to Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies through advancements in data science, computing, and instrumentation.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for funding, project consortia must meet several requirements.

Key eligibility criteria include:

Participation from at least four BRICS countries
Funding applications from a minimum of four national teams
Designation of one Project Coordinator
An interdisciplinary research approach
Strong scientific leadership and track record
A clear long-term mission and implementation strategy

Researchers must also comply with the national eligibility requirements established by their respective funding agencies.

Funding and Project Duration

The programme will support collaborative research activities, including researcher exchanges and international cooperation initiatives.

Important funding details include:

Initial project duration of three years
Possibility of a two-year extension
Expected project launch in the third quarter of 2026
Funding administered through national funding organizations

The specific funding conditions vary among participating countries and are outlined in the respective National Annex documents.

Application Process

Project coordinators are required to submit a Joint Application Form (JAF) through the BRICS STI Framework Programme Application Management System.

Applicants must provide:

Project title and acronym
Research theme
Project abstract
Consortium details
Work plan and objectives
Budget information

In addition to the joint application, each national research team must submit a separate national proposal to its corresponding funding agency according to national procedures and deadlines.

Expected Impact

The BRICS STI Framework Programme Pilot STI Flagship Projects Call 2026 represents a significant opportunity to strengthen international research collaboration and develop innovative solutions to shared global challenges.

By supporting ambitious interdisciplinary projects in climate science, mental health technologies, and advanced astronomy, the programme seeks to generate long-term scientific excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable development across BRICS member countries.

Researchers interested in participating are encouraged to begin consortium-building activities immediately and prepare their submissions before the June 2026 deadline.

Application Deadline: 16 June 2026, 15:00 UTC+3 (Moscow Time)

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.