MCTI launches Bolsa Futuro Digital program to train professionals for the technology sector

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, participated today in the launch of the Bolsa Futuro Digital Program. On the occasion, applications were opened for the free, in-person training program, which will train 10,000 beginner programmers over the next 24 months. The initiative is aimed at young people and adults with no previous experience in the area of information technology, who are interested in entering careers in Front-end or Back-end development.

In this first phase, 5,000 places will be offered in 12 states and the Federal District, with priority given to students from public schools. In six months, another 5,000 places will be made available, expanding the scope of the action. In addition to the training, participants will receive monthly financial support during the course.

“Bolsa Futuro Digital is not just another training program, it is a strategic step to prepare our young people for jobs that will make a difference in the coming years in a sector that continues to grow and that will define the direction of our development,” says Minister Luciana Santos.

The program is an initiative of Conecta e Capacita, a public policy of the MCTI focused on technological training, and will be financed with resources from the PPI of the Computer Law, totaling R$$ 54.5 million. The goal is to train professionals ready to enter the job market, with tracks in Front-end Development and Back-end Development, certification and even real work experience, through a technological residency in partner companies.

According to the Association of Information and Communication Technology and Digital Technologies Companies (Brasscom), Brazil trains 46,000 technology professionals per year, but the demand is around 70,000. Salaries in the sector can be up to three times higher than the national average. This scenario contrasts with the 21.2% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 who neither study nor work — more than 45% of them are black or brown women.

“We need to offer hope and perspective to these youth. As the first female minister in the history of MCTI, I have the duty to promote public policies for the inclusion of women,” said Luciana. She also reinforced that 50% of the program's vacancies will be allocated to women, as part of MCTI's commitment to inclusion and gender equality.

During the event, Marcelino Granja, special advisor to the MCTI, highlighted the leading role of educational institutions and implementing entities in the collective construction of the program. He thanked the partners for their commitment and emphasized the importance of national coordination to reach the 10,000 young people expected in the first stage.

“This mechanism only works because we have a committed network across the country. Federal institutions, state universities and competent ICTs, such as Softex Pernambuco, which formulated and inspired this project, the Hardware BR Institute (HBR) and CEPEDI, among others, who dedicated themselves to getting this project off the ground. It is an effort by many, spread across different states, but with a common goal: to give opportunities and dignity to Brazilian working youth,” he said.

The rector of the Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB), Veruska Machado, highlighted the importance of the program as the result of a collective effort between public and private institutions. “This project unites two essential elements for the dignity of the Brazilian people: quality professional training and employability,” she said. She emphasized the strategic role of the Federal Institutes in the construction of inclusive public policies and reiterated the IFB’s commitment to continue as a partner in actions that promote real development opportunities for the population.

The program’s goal for young Brazilians, especially those seeking a quick and qualified entry into the technology market, was highlighted by Softex president Ruben Delgado. For him, the project is a concrete opportunity to expand digital and social inclusion in several regions of the country.

“More than just training programmers, this initiative means opening doors for young people from different backgrounds, offering accelerated training aligned with market needs. It is a fundamental step towards democratizing access to technology and ensuring that Brazil advances with innovation and social justice. We are talking about transforming lives and strengthening our digital economy, and this is a source of great hope and pride for all of us,” highlighted Ruben Delgado.

Who can participate

To apply for Bolsa Futuro Digital, you must:

• Have completed high school (or be in the process of completing it, as long as you are 18 years old by the end of the course);
• Have studied at a public school or, in the case of a private school, with a full scholarship;
• Be at least 18 years old by the end date of the training;
• Have access to the internet to carry out complementary activities.

No prior programming knowledge is required, making the program an inclusive gateway for new technology talent.

What the course will be like:

The training lasts a total of 9 months, divided into two phases:

Technical training phase (6 months):

• In-person classes twice a week, with 3 hours per session (totaling 144 hours of in-person classes);
• Supplementary online content: 56 hours, with support from the implementing entities;
• Grant of R$ 100/month in the first 3 months and R$ 200/month in the final 3 months.

Technology residency phase (3 months):

• The best performing participants will be able to participate in a residency at partner companies, with technical support and a grant of R$600/month.
• The course adopts modern methodologies such as Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Flipped Classroom, encouraging practice and the resolution of real problems.

Front-end or Back-end track – choose your path:

Candidates can choose one of two training paths:

• Front-end Developer: focus on interfaces, design, interactivity and user experience, with content such as HTML, CSS/SASS, JavaScript, React and notions of UX.
• Back-end Developer: focused on logic, servers and databases, with classes on JavaScript, Python or Ruby, object orientation, WebServices and data modeling.

Where the program will be offered:

Bolsa Futuro Digital will be implemented in person in 12 states and the Federal District. They are:

• Northern Region: Pará;
• Northeast Region: Maranhao, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Sergipe, Bahia;
• Central-West Region: Goiás and Federal District;
• Southeast Region: Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo;
• Southern Region: Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul.

Each location will have physical classroom centers, which can be found on the websites of the implementing entities. The choice of center is made at the time of registration.

Who runs the program:

The program will be implemented by three entities: ICTs that execute PPI projects, CEPEDI, SoftexPE and H.BR, under the coordination of SOFTEX. The initiative also involves a broad network of federal and state educational institutions, such as:

UEPA, IFMA, UEPB, UFPE, IFSE, IFBA, IFBaiano, IFMG, IFG, IFB, UFF, IFSP, UNESC and IFRS.

Evaluation and selection

There will be a two-stage selection process: Logical reasoning test and submission of a video demonstrating interest and motivation to take the course and/or automatic Cultural Fit test. Enrollment will be done upon presentation of a photo ID, as per the guidance of the local implementing entity.

More information and registration on the website https://bfd.softexpe.org.br/