The French-Brazilian working group on innovation has launched a tender to stimulate research and development partnerships between Brazilian and French companies. The project must involve at least one company in each country for the development of a new product, process or industrial service intended to be marketed. Concerned sectors are: information technologies (IT), biotechnology, health, oil and gas, power and cosmetics.

Applications must be submitted before October 30, 2016.

Projects must lead to balanced and complementary benefits for all partners. The added value of the partnership must be demonstrated, especially with a detailed strategy on intellectual property and marketing in both countries. The call for projects is open to partnerships already identified, but an online platform is made available to assist companies seeking partners in the other country. The platform is available on the website of the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) at: www.brasilfranca.mdic.gov.br It is also possible to directly contact the program coordinators at: brasilfranca@mdic.gov.br

The projects presented by companies are evaluated by a bi-national steering committee. Once approved by both parties (Brazil and France), the project will be able to receive funds from the development agencies of the two countries: BpiFrance in France and BNDES in Brazil.