The investigation presented here aimed to identify the concepts and guidelines conferred on internationalization by Brazilian scientific policy, especially in graduate programs. We analyzed the contents of 10 documents related to Brazilian scientific policy containing the main guidelines for developing the sector. We found that internationalization is discussed in terms predominantly directed to the market, as a synonym for quality and serves as an instrument of exclusion to funding by the graduate programs (PPGs). Such points impact the development of PPGs and the science produced, limiting their potential to contribute to meet the real needs of the entire population. We argue that any attempt to promote internationalization that can truly contribute to national scientific and social development requires global reassessment of the role that science must play in society, in line with a perspective of social transformation.
Keywords:
International insertion; Scientific policy; Graduate program