On May 29, FIOTEC received a visit by Loretta Rocca, representative of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The Manager of the Grant Administration of IDRC participated in a meeting to learn about FIOTEC’s structure and discuss the implementation and accounting processes for projects receiving grants.

Projects analyst Ana Carolina Gomes, who participated in the meeting, explains why the interaction between FIOTEC and IDRC is so important. “This kind of visit gives them a firsthand view of our organization and further strengthens the level of trust in the relationship, which can result in new and more robust projects. The trend is for this kind of meeting to happen more often, as FIOTEC strengthens its ties with funding agencies and establishes more complex and mature international projects.” Gomes added that the IDRC representative was quite satisfied with the information she received during the meeting and concluded, “That’s reason for all of FIOTEC to be proud.”

Also attending the meeting were Clarisse Castro, International Projects Supervisor, Fernanda Sousa, International Projects Analyst, and Henrique Lima, Accounting Analyst. Financial and Accounting Administration Manager Alexandre Valinoti gave a presentation on the financial and accounting operations in projects administration. After the meeting, Loretta Rocca also took part in a tour to visit the different areas in the FIOTEC building.

IDRC recently funded three projects implemented by FIOCRUZ and supported by FIOTEC:

“Development and implementation of a low-cost paper-based diagnostic test for Zika virus detection”, coordinated by Lindomar Pena, researcher at the Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM/FIOCRUZ Pernambuco);

“Study on the establishment of a Think_SDG Regional Hub at FIOCRUZ/CRIS to help move the Think_SDG network forward as a key element to improve Agenda 2030 and implementation of its sustainable development goals in the Americas”, coordinated by Paulo Buss, director of the FIOCRUZ Global Health Center (CRIS/FIOCRUZ); and

“Molecular basis for Zika virus pathogenesis”, coordinated by Ana Bispo, head of the Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC).

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

IDRC supports researchers that promote knowledge and solve practical development problems. IDRC thus provides grants, consultancy, and training for researchers that need to implement their work and share solutions with the world. The grants focus on research projects connected to developing countries as a way of promoting growth, reducing poverty, and spawning positive changes on a large scale.