Affirmative action in higher education involves incorporating themes and epistemologies that contribute to the composition of research agendas in different areas and modes of knowledge production, originating from social groups that become more representatively integrated into the university.
From this perspective, PRP has sought to support the inclusion of these groups in research systems. In 2025, two specific calls for proposals were launched as part of this set of actions: the Call for Proposals: More Women in Research (PRP Notice 14/2025) and the Call for Proposals for Indigenous Researchers: Initial Projects (PRP Notice 20/2025).
O Call for Proposals: More Women in Research The trigger was a study conducted by PRP in conjunction with the Unicamp Library System (SBU), published in Journal of UnicampThe study, which revealed gender inequality in the University's scientific output, recommended specific funding to support women's participation in research. The finding that female professors and researchers face additional challenges in developing international partnerships due to the "care economy," as well as the prevalence of men leading large projects and collaborative networks, motivated the creation of a specific call for proposals to encourage the creation of new networks led by women, whose main product would be the proposal of a joint project.
For this initiative, PRP allocated R$ 400.000,00 to support up to 10 projects, covering expenses for work missions. However, the demand received was significant (114 requests), and an additional contribution of R$ 400.000,000 was made to accommodate as many well-qualified proposals as possible. The proposals were carefully evaluated and judged by reviewers and consultants from the FAEPEX advisory committees. In total, 25 proposals were approved. college From Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba, the research involves female teachers at all stages of their careers, but with a focus on those in the initial stages. Approved proposals must be implemented within 24 months and involve collaborations with researchers from countries such as Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Switzerland, France, Austria, and Italy.
As to Call for Proposals for Indigenous Researchers: Initial ProjectsThis program was designed for students entering through the UNICAMP Indigenous Entrance Exam. Started in 2018 (with the first intakes in 2019), it involves over 400 students from more than 60 different Indigenous groups across all regions of the country, but with a large number of students from the Amazon region.
The motivation for this call for proposals is related to the observed difficulty faced by Indigenous students in entering the PIBIC program. Given the various challenges related to Indigenous presence at UNICAMP, the acceptance rate per submission for Indigenous students has been the worst compared to other groups (less than 40%). Furthermore, there is a demand for research conducted in conjunction with their communities of origin, both as a form of social return and as a way to bring the university closer to these communities. In this sense, the call for proposals was designed to offer, in addition to undergraduate research scholarships, funding for fieldwork and/or other subsidies that enable work in the communities of origin. It is hoped that this strategy will establish a two-way street, contributing to the presence of communities in the university and of the university in the communities, producing impacts on both sides.
R$160.000,00 was allocated to support eight proposals, which include undergraduate research scholarships and resources to cover student research expenses, such as fieldwork. Twenty-five proposals were received, 60% more than the number of applications typically submitted to PIBIC, and only ¼ of those who submitted PIBIC applications in 2025, demonstrating that the call for proposals also achieved its objective.
The proposals encompass all areas of knowledge, with a prevalence of humanities. The projects involve students from more than 20 courses, from at least eight different peoples (Baniwa, Tukano, Baré, Kumaruara, Kambeba, Tikuna, Waurá, Kubeu), in addition to some projects involving areas (such as the city of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in Amazonas) inhabited by diverse peoples. Taken together, the proposals represent part of the great diversity of realities and problems that involve the indigenous peoples currently present in the UNICAMP community.
Eight projects were approved, thus covering 32% of the demand, using all the resources allocated to the call for proposals. Adding to the seven approved in the PIBIC program, the call for proposals doubles the number of students receiving support to develop their scientific initiation projects. The themes include research related to art, basic sanitation, food, vulnerability, and early childhood education.
The success of the two calls for proposals demonstrates the need to strengthen such actions within the scope of Research, in order to integrate policies in the fields of undergraduate studies, graduate studies, extension programs, and other areas of activity at UNICAMP.
Consult the PRP website for initiatives related to Affirmative Action in Research.
