Regional development centers: Local scientific base as a determinant of innovative extension

Abstract

The Regional Development Center is an initiative that stimulates scientific knowledge developed in science, technology and innovation (ICT) institutions as a relevant factor for Brazilian regional development. This is an experience of interaction between ICT and the community, focusing on research and development projects with  potential for innovation, which can be a path to university extension, in compliance with current Brazilian legislation (Law 13,005/2014). The objective of this article is to analyze whether the CDR experiences implemented in six locations across the country met what was foreseen in the proposed methodology, especially in relation to the harmony between the local scientific base and the respective selected project portfolios. In the present study, a methodology is proposed that analyzes the project portfolio for each territory, based on the most relevant areas of knowledge, considering the performance of research groups in the respective locations. The results show that the criteria can be improved, both in relation to the selection of regions for implementing the initiative, and in relation to the alignment of selected projects with the local knowledge base. The proposed indicators can contribute in this sense, increasing the initiative’s chances of stimulating the development of the respective regions.