The Foundation for Scientific Research of Ribeirão Preto (FUNPEC-RP) was founded on March 10, 1983. It is a private, not-for-profit organization, with administrative and financial autonomy. Its principal objectives are to support and promote the development of teaching and research and to provide services to the community. FUNPEC-RP also has an important role in the dissemination of knowledge.

With headquarters in Ribeirão Preto, in the state of São Paulo, Brasil, the foundation can develop activities or maintain representatives throughout the country.

The foundation has as its mission to provide services to communities and organizations, directly or through collaborations with other institutions; these services can be remunerated or not, and they have the objective of improving the quality of life of people in the community and improving the wellbeing of society.

Specifically, the objectives of the foundation are:

•    Promote educational activities and collaborate in the implantation and development of undergraduate and graduate research in areas of food, nutrition, genetics and breeding of animals and plants, along with other subjects;
•    Offer scholarships to support studies and research that attend the needs of the country and also facilitate the training of specialized personnel.  
•    Promote and distribute scientific, technical and cultural knowledge, through courses, publications, journals, sale and distribution of Brazilian and imported books, as well as biotechnological products for scientific research;
•    Develop philanthropic activities, especially at orphanages and elderly people’s homes, to improve the well-being of children and elderly people.