This study presents a historical retrospective of research activities in nursing in Brazil, with emphasis on systematization, tendencies and diffusion of these studies, especially for the support of these by the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development. The origins and actual structure of this agency is also presented. In discussing the Insertion of nursing in this agency of financial support, the contradictory situation between the official proposal for the training of a nurse and the orientation offered by the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development is reported, This study also offers reflection about the importance of the definition of research lines nursing, in view of the demands of the process of knowledge production.
