Wealthy philanthropies in Brazil are starting to put their money into science ' a trend that could help to protect research funding if voters in next month's elections choose a president who doesn't prioritize the sciences. Brazil does not have a strong history of charitable support for research. But the past decade has seen the founding of the nation's first non-profit organization dedicated to funding scientific research: the Serrapilheira Institute. The organization has now distributed more than US$25 million to early-career researchers, and other philanthropic science funders have sprung up in its wake. Moreover, in 2023, Brazil's leading university, the University of Sao Paulo, launched a research centre to study and foster science philanthropy. This movement is building against a backdrop of turbulent times for Brazilian science. Former president Jair Bolsonaro slashed science funding during his tenure from 2019'23. Polls ahead of Brazil's presidential election on 4 October...
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