The University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry has secured a $2-million international research partnership aimed at advancing oral, dental and craniofacial science through collaboration with Brazilian researchers.
The agreement with the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) will fund joint projects over five years, supporting 10 research grants annually for a total of 50 studies. The first call for proposals opened this week.
“This unique partnership creates new avenues for international collaboration,” said said Dr. Baljit Singh (PhD), Vice-President Research at USask. “We are excited to work with world-class researchers in São Paulo and collectively develop real-world innovations in oral, dental and craniofacial research.”
FAPESP is a public research foundation funded by the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and supports scientific research across universities and research institutes.
Growing global collaboration
Leaders at the USask College of Dentistry say the partnership highlights the growing importance of global collaboration in tackling complex oral-health challenges.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing oral health through global collaboration,” said Walter Siqueira, dean of the college. “It positions the College of Dentistry and USask as leaders in international research focused on oral, dental and craniofacial innovation.”
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The agreement is notable because FAPESP typically funds research collaborations at the level of a province, state or entire university system. Officials say this arrangement — focused exclusively on a single academic unit and a specific research field — is unusual and may represent the largest agreement between FAPESP and a Canadian university.
Under the program rules, each project must include a principal investigator from the USask College of Dentistry and at least one collaborator from another USask college or school, encouraging interdisciplinary research across the university. Each project will also involve a principal investigator from a university or research institute in São Paulo state.
Siqueira said the initiative will expand opportunities for faculty and trainees while strengthening long-term international research networks.
The deadline to submit research proposals is May 19, 2026.