This paper deals with the political and institutional trajectory of Fiocruz, based on a discussion of its management model, between 1970 and 2003. We discuss the organization and politics of the institution, aiming to identify the conflicts between the public and private ideals related to the foundation, exploring the itineraries that culminated in the construction of a flexible institutional project. The period from 1970 to 2003 was defined as a time frame, which comprises two distinct moments in the history of Fiocruz: a first sub-period from 1970 to 1988, in which it is responsible for Private Law; and from 1988, the year of the promulgation of the Brazilian Federal Constitution, until 2003, when it became part of the Public Law regime, defined its management model and established the official statute in force to this day.
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; Political aspects; Trajectory; Organization; Administration