Ideated by the neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis, the Santos Dumont Institute (Instituto Santos Dumont – ISD) seeks inspiration in the iconic and innovative figure of Santos Dumont, father of aviation and one of the greatest Brazilian scientists of all times. The Northeast of Brazil was intentionally chosen for ISD acting to foster human, social and financial development of such region. The Institution considers social responsibility and innovation as motors for all actions of teaching, research and extension developed in areas of Education, Neurosciences, Neuroengineering, Maternal and Child Health as well as in Rehabilitation.
The Brazilian presidential decree of February 27, 2014, qualified ISD as a Social Organization. This unique kind of partnership between the public and private sectors enables the Government to fund a non-profit organization to perform services with public interest. Currently, ISD develops its activities through a management contract signed with the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC).
To give wings to such a challenging and rewarding project, ISD has established a crucial partnership with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte/UFRN (as Portuguese abbreviation) to join efforts in several projects. The Institute has also partnership with other institutions in Brazil as well as in another countries like USA, Scotland, Japan, France, Mexico, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.
The ISD fulfills its Mission through projects and activities in the following Units:
Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neurosciences
Located in Macaíba-RN, IIN-ELS (as Portuguese abbreviation) develops innovative translational scientific research in two main lines: Brain-Machine Interface (BMIs) and Neuromodulation. Since 2013, it offers the first Master’s Degree in Neuroengineering approved by Brazilian Government / CAPES. You can find further information HERE (in Portuguese).
Anita Garibaldi Center for Education and Research in Health (Anita)
Also located in Macaíba, Anita (as Portuguese abbreviation) dedicates its efforts to training, development, and continuing education of health professionals. It integrates the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) as a reference service for multidisciplinary attention to maternal and child health, as well as rehabilitation in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. You can find further information HERE (in Portuguese).
MISSION
To promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching,
research and extension actions, and to contribute to a fairer and more humanized shift in the Brazilian social reality.
VISION
To be internationally recognized as a hub of Education, Science, and Technology in the fields of Maternal and Child Health, Rehabilitation, Neurosciences and Neuroengineering.
Are you curious about the history and work of the Santos Dumont Institute? Below you can access the ISD’s magazine, made in 2019, that brings informations about the operation and the facilities of the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neurosciences and the Anita Garibaldi Center for Education and Research in Health. The publication has also data about the cycle of the management contract with the Brazilian Ministry of Education between 2014 and 2018.