The appointment of Elaine Boing to head a new section at the Brazilian Consulate General in Atlanta promoting cooperation in education, science and technology marks the significance Brazil’s government is placing on its Science Without Borders initiative.

According to the initiative’s website, it seeks to “revolutionize” Brazil’s system for research and development by identifying its best students and researchers, developing partnerships and building “solid academic links between key institutions.”

The initiative is inviting internationally recognized researchers in any one of 17 selected areas ranging from aerospace to technology for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters to conduct projects with Brazilian research groups and visit Brazil for up to three months each year over the course of two to three years.

Young researchers outside of Brazil with scientific accomplishments, especially Brazilians living abroad, also are eligible to receive funding and resources to perform a two- to three-year research project in Brazil. The initiative anticipates enough funds to attract at least 100 researchers per year.

The initiative aims specifically to increase the number of Brazilians with doctorates relative to the population, enhancing the interaction between the country’s academic institutions, businesses and civil society.

It also aims at promoting international collaborations in scientific projects and fostering a greater rate of patent applications.

An underlying motivation for the initiative, according to the website, is to expose its students to other countries and cultures so that they will have a clearer understanding of the global economy’s competitiveness and the importance of entrepreneurship.

The fellowship for visiting researchers who come to Brazil for 12 to 36 months include $7,500 per month for living expenses, research grants amounting to $28,000 per year and flight tickets.

The scholarship for young talents also covers a period of 12 to 36 months including $4,000 per month for living expenses, $4,000 for accommodations and a grant of $11,000 per year.

Submissions are due by June 16, 2012.

To reach the Brazilian Consulate General in Atlanta, call (404) 949-2400.