INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM FOR TRAINING HUMAN RESOURCES IN ENERGY TRANSITION (PRH-TE)

• Grant number: 25/03707-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Silveira Vieira
• Grantee: Rodrigo Silveira Vieira
• Host Institution: Centro de Tecnologia (CT). Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Fortaleza , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Adonay Rodrigues Loiola ; Alejandro Pedro Ayala ; Alexandre Rocha Paschoal ; Ana Fabíola Leite Almeida ; ANDRE VALENTE BUENO ; ANTONIO SERGIO BEZERRA SOMBRA ; BISMARK CLAURE TORRICO ; Bruno Sousa Araújo ; BRUNO VIEIRA BERTONCINI ; Carlos William de Araujo Paschoal ; CLEITON CARVALHO SILVA ; Diana Cristina Silva de Azevedo ; Dieric dos Santos de Abreu ; Fernanda Leite lobo ; FRANCISCO MURILO TAVARES DE LUNA ; Hélio Cordeiro de Miranda ; Igor Frota de Vasconcelos ; Iran Eduardo Lima Neto ; Jorge Barbosa Soares ; José Carlos Alves Barroso Júnior ; Lucas Silveira Melo ; Luciana Rocha Barros Gonçalves ; Luis Glauber Rodrigues ; Luiz Henrique Silva Colado Barreto ; Maria Alexsandra de Sousa Rios ; Maria Valderez Ponte Rocha ; Moisés Bastos Neto ; Paulo Alexandre Costa Rocha ; Paulo Igor Milen Firmino ; Paulo Naftali da Silva Casciano ; PAULO PEIXOTO PRAÇA ; Pedro de LIma Neto ; Raimundo Furtado Sampaio ; RAQUEL CRISTINA FILIAGI GREGORY ; Rilvia Saraiva de Santiago-Aguiar ; Rodolpho Mouta Monte Prado ; RONALDO STEFANUTTI ; Sebastiao Mardonio Pereira de Lucena ; vitor moreira da rocha ponte
• Associated researchers: ADRIANA NUNES CORREIA ; ANDRE BEZERRA DOS SANTOS ; Carla Freitas de Andrade ; Celio Loureiro Cavalcante Jr

Abstract

The Federal University of Ceará (or UFC: Universidade Federal do Ceará, in Portuguese) stands out as the leading science and technology institution in the North and Northeast of Brazil, recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Its commitment to knowledge generation and the training of highly qualified professionals has solidified its reputation both nationally and internationally. Currently, UFC has only one Human Resources Training Program (or PRH: Programa de Formação de Recursos Humanos, in Portuguese) from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (or ANP: Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis, in Portuguese): PRH 31.1, focused on the oil and gas sector. Given the positive impacts of this initiative, it is essential to foster new programs that expand human resource training and drive technological innovation in the energy sector. In this context, the creation of the Institutional Human Resources Training Program in Energy Transition (or PRH-TE: Programa Institucional de Formação de Recursos Humanos em Transição Energética, em Português) is proposed, aligned with the diversification of the energy matrix and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. PRH-TE will encompass six undergraduate courses and seven graduate programs within UFC's Centers for Technology and Sciences, involving over 40 researchers with expertise in biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, sustainable aviation fuels, and advanced biofuels), hydrogen, solar energy, wind energy, materials, safety, and the environment. PRH-TE activities will focus on research, development, and innovation, supported by a robust infrastructure comprising 45 specialized laboratories. This structure will support investigations into biofuels, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and new technologies for energy conversion and storage. Additionally, the program will offer complementary semester courses for undergraduate and graduate scholarship holders, ensuring comprehensive training aligned with the demands of the sustainable energy sector. With this proposal, PRH-TE will establish UFC as a national and international reference in human resource training and the development of innovative technological solutions for the energy transition. The initiative will strengthen applied research, foster partnerships between academia and industry, and drive advancements in sustainable technologies, ensuring that UFC plays a strategic role in Brazil's economic and environmental development. (AU)