PIPE — Innovative Research in Small Businesses (Pesquisa Inovativa em Pequenas Empresas)

PIPE Tech Journey: Digital Sovereignty — Phase 1

Funds digital sovereignty ventures in São Paulo across cyber, hardware, AI, and IoT.

FAPESP's PIPE Jornada Tecnológica Soberania Digital 2026 is a themed Fase 1 call under the Pesquisa Inovativa em Pequenas Empresas (PIPE) programme, targeting innovation in digital sovereignty by small businesses headquartered or operating an R&D unit in São Paulo state. The call covers cybersecurity, national hardware and software development, data sovereignty technologies, and related fields. Total funding pool is R$ 25 million across the call, with individual projects eligible for up to R$ 500,000 in non-refundable grant funding over a 12-month project period. Launched 25 May 2026, the pre-proposal deadline is 24 June 2026 and the full proposal deadline is 24 August 2026, with results expected from December 2026.

Eligibility is restricted to for-profit companies of up to 250 employees with a registered headquarters or active R&D unit in São Paulo state. The Responsible Researcher must be a company shareholder or partner with São Paulo residency throughout the project period. Companies that are not yet incorporated at submission may apply but must formalise incorporation before any award is made. A researcher may not have another PIPE project under review simultaneously. Universities, research institutes, and non-profit organisations are not eligible applicants.

Applicants submit through FAPESP's SAGe portal. Success requires a scientifically sound innovation plan directly addressing one or more digital sovereignty themes, along with a credible commercialisation pathway. FAPESP evaluates proposals on scientific merit, technological novelty, and the potential for economic and strategic impact. Proposers should document clear alignment with the digital sovereignty thematic scope and demonstrate company capacity to execute the 12-month R&D phase within the R$ 500,000 budget ceiling.