The Cardano Foundation has entered a strategic technical partnership with the University of Brasília (UnB), establishing the first Cardano Project Development Lab in Latin America. The collaboration focuses on blockchain research, education, and real-world applications, specifically targeting public sector innovation in Brazil.
Located in Brasília—close to federal government agencies and policy institutions—the lab will serve as a multidisciplinary hub for Cardano infrastructure, artificial intelligence, IoT, digital identity, governance systems, and sustainable digital infrastructure. The initiative aims to translate academic research into deployable systems, covering areas like secure academic credentials, supply chain traceability for Brazil’s agricultural sector, and decentralized voting tools for administrative transparency.
As part of the partnership, full-semester Cardano lectures, postgraduate and executive training, and workshops for policymakers will be offered. The Cardano Foundation has already translated Academy materials into Brazilian Portuguese and launched a Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate course to foster local talent. Rafael Fraga, LATAM business development lead, stated the goal is to create conditions for “sustainable blockchain adoption in Latin America.” Claudia Jacy Barenco Abbas, a professor at UnB’s Engineering Faculty, highlighted the convergence of global expertise and academic leadership for responsible public-sector innovation.
The lab complements broader ecosystem efforts, including an $80 million fund with Draper Dragon and the upcoming LATAM Cardano Yearly Event in Colombia in 2026, reinforcing Cardano’s institutional foothold in the region.
