he Young Scientist Award is well-known in Brazil as the boldest and most important incentive for young research graduates, and university and high school students. In 2005, those participating in the 21st edition of the award were faced with the challenging theme “Blood – Fluid of Life,” and demonstrate that it is possible to transform scientific knowledge into simple and concrete solutions for Brazil.

Among the features of the 2005 edition was the addition of the HonorableMention category in recognition of researchers who made an outstanding contribution to the subject of the theme, as well as a scholarship awarded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) to a high school student. The efforts of Gerdau Group volunteers in raising the awareness of schools located near the mills has contributed to increasing the number of young participants to 1,377 throughout the country. 

In 2006, the award once again tempts researchers with the theme “Sustainable Biodiversity Management: the Challenge of the Millennium.” The Young Scientist award has technical support from CNPq and continued sponsorship from the Gerdau Group, Eletrobrás/Procel and the Roberto Marinho Foundation. The award is presented each year by the President of Brazil at the Planalto Palace.