Between August 12 and 14, 2025, the National Association of Graduate Students (ANPG) organized a nationwide mobilization under the motto “Science is a matter of sovereignty.” The action was the largest national postgraduate strike of its kind in Brazil’s history. Brought together nearly 300 young researchers in Brasília, combining a national postgraduate strike with coordinated political action urging the government and Congress to address key demands: adjustments to research scholarships, expanded access to grants, and the extension of social security rights to researchers. The program also featured institutional meetings with government bodies, an ANPG board meeting, and a public hearing on reducing working hours for health residents.
The three-day mobilisation combined multiple strategies:
- Institutional meetings with members of Congress and government ministers, where researchers delivered a formal Letter of Demands with concrete proposals and timelines.
- A public hearing on reducing working hours for health residents, connecting research careers to broader labour reforms.
- Street protests in Brasília, which transformed the debate into a national conversation, drawing strong media coverage and public support.
As a result of these actions, political leaders from across Brazil’s Congress signed a commitment to legislate social security rights for researchers, create formal employment pathways for postdocs, and establish a dedicated parliamentary committee to oversee implementation. As a result, Bill PL 974/2024, which recognises the rights of doctoral researchers, has gained momentum, with signatures now being collected to advance it through Congress.
While this was a landmark victory, ANPG emphasises that the real work begins now: ensuring the promises translate into lasting legislation and budget allocations. Next steps include monitoring parliamentary commitments, building international coalitions, engaging the public, and documenting the economic and social costs of neglecting research careers.
Learn more about the events: The-Brazil-Young-Scientists-Strike-from-ANPG (1)
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