About Governance

Organizational Structure and Governance of the Research Network

The governance structure of the network is composed of: Joint Steering Committee, Technical-Scientific Advisory Committee, General Coordination, two Associate Coordinations, and an Executive Secretariat.

Joint Steering Committee (JSC):
The JSC will be responsible for the network’s strategic decisions, supporting the actions of the Network Coordination, and will consist of at least 9 members, distributed as follows:

(a) 1 representative from FUNCAP, as the original funding agency of the Network;
(b) 1 General Coordinator of the Network;
(c) 2 Associate Coordinators of the Network;
(d) 5 representatives from the participating R&D institutions (ICTs), proportionally to their involvement in the Network. These representatives must have been affiliated with the Network for at least two years and be nominated by the legal representative of each institution. In the first two years, the representatives will be as follows: UFC (2), UECE (1), IFCE (1), and UNIFOR (1);
(e) 1 representative from each company (or institution) contributing over R$ 1,000,000.00 directly to the Network in the past two years, nominated by their legal representative. Initially, business sector representation will be appointed by FIEC.

A reassessment of the institutional representation on the JSC will occur every two years based on the progress of projects during that period. Each representative under items (d) and (e) will serve a two-year term, renewable once. The JSC will meet at least every six months to review the network’s progress, assess the inclusion of new research units and members, and ensure alignment with the initial project goals.

Technical-Scientific Advisory Committee (TSAC):

Comprising at least 12 nationally and/or internationally recognized researchers, appointed by the network coordination, the TSAC will evaluate the progress and outcomes of ongoing research projects every 12 months. The TSAC will issue a detailed report highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement in both project execution and innovation management. These reports will be submitted to the JSC for strategic decision-making.

Roles and Responsibilities

General Coordination:
Initially, UFC will appoint the General Coordinator, who will:

  • Appoint the Executive Secretary of the Network;
  • Oversee the overall strategy and development of the Network;
  • Facilitate communication among the three coordinating institutions and other participants;
  • Manage financial resources and external partnerships;
  • Jointly oversee research and collaboration projects, partnerships, events, and workshops;
  • Coordinate acquisition of research, development, and innovation grants;
  • Develop educational programs and initiatives and promote outreach, dissemination, and exchanges among institutions;
  • Facilitate the sharing of research infrastructure and resources.

Associate Coordinations:
Initially, UECE and IFCE will appoint the Associate Coordinators, who will:

  • Co-coordinate ongoing research projects and collaboration;
  • Assist in grant acquisition and educational initiatives;
  • Facilitate infrastructure and resource sharing within their institutions.

Each coordinator will serve an initial four-year term (corresponding to FUNCAP Call 02/2023). They may serve up to a maximum of four years in their role.

Coordination Nomination Mechanism

Every four years, the JSC will designate, by absolute majority, the institutions responsible for the General and Associate Coordinations for the next term. Legal representatives of the designated institutions will nominate researchers for the positions, who must have actively collaborated with the Network for at least two years.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • At least two years of active collaboration with the Network;
  • Recognized position within their academic field;
  • Institutional capacity to influence strategic direction and resource allocation.

Selection and Transition Process:

  • The legal representatives of selected institutions will appoint the new coordinators at least three months before the end of the current term;
  • Knowledge transfer sessions, joint planning meetings, project reviews, and documentation of best practices will ensure a smooth transition.

Special Circumstances:
In the event of resignation or incapacity, a replacement will be appointed by the institution.

Collaborative Structures

Beyond the JSC and TSAC, the following structures will support harmonious operation:

Principal Investigator (PI) Group:
Composed of the lead researchers from each ongoing project. Meetings will be held at least every 3 months to present results and foster integration, possibly with external/internal guests.

Working Groups (WGs):
Ad hoc teams focusing on specific research areas, education, or administrative tasks, formed as needed.

Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (IPR):
A clear and mutually agreed policy for managing intellectual property, aligned with current legislation.

Financial Structure:
A shared financing model involving contributions from each university and external funding. Financial transparency and accountability will be maintained through biannual reports. Fund allocation will be decided by the coordinators with JSC approval.

Financial Resource Allocation

Overview:
Resource allocation ensures operational stability and supports initiatives. All funds (internal or external) must follow clear and fair procedures.

Sources of Funding:

  • Grants and External Funds: From public agencies, private sector, and other research programs;
  • Revenue Generation: From commercialization of research outputs, patents, or related initiatives.

Allocation Principles:

  • Transparency: Clear documentation and communication;
  • Equity: Resources distributed fairly to support all member ICTs in the long term;
  • Merit-Based: Priority for projects with academic/practical merit, innovation potential, and alignment with network goals.

Decision Process:

  • Budget Proposal: Each institution and WG submits an annual budget plan;
  • Joint Review: A finance task force appointed by the JSC will assess proposals and suggest funding allocations;
  • Final Approval: By the Joint Steering Committee.

Special Projects:
Major initiatives requiring substantial funding will undergo detailed review based on impact, feasibility, ROI, and strategic alignment.

Financial Audits:
Audits will be initially conducted by FUNCAP, and later possibly by an independent agency if private funding is involved. Reports will be shared with all member institutions, and corrective actions will be taken as needed.

Performance Metrics and Evaluation

Key performance indicators (KPIs) will include:

  • Number of PhD researchers involved per institution;
  • Number of graduate students (Master’s, PhD, Postdoc);
  • Number of publications in A1/A2 journals;
  • Number of partnerships established;
  • Access to new economic and financial resources;
  • Number of patents;
  • Financial returns generated for member institutions.

Conflict Resolution Mechanism

Overview:
Disputes are natural in collaborative environments. This mechanism ensures fair and efficient resolution.

Informal Resolution:
Initial efforts should involve open dialogue and mutual respect to resolve issues.

Mediation:
If informal efforts fail:

  • A neutral mediator, agreed upon by both parties, will guide structured dialogues;
  • If successful, a signed mediation agreement will be issued.

Arbitration:
If mediation fails:

  • An arbitrator or panel appointed by the JSC will issue a binding decision;
  • All parties must comply with the decision.

Applicable Law:
Conflict resolution will follow relevant national laws regarding contracts, intellectual property, and related domains.

Institutions