Cardano Foundation and University of Brasília (UnB) Launch Strategic Partnership and First Cardano Lab in Latin America

The Cardano Foundation and the University of Brasília (UnB) have entered a strategic technical collaboration to advance research, education, and real-world applications of blockchain and emerging technologies across Brazil and Latin America.

As one of Brazil’s most prestigious public universities, UnB stands as a cornerstone of academic excellence and public leadership. Widely recognized as the home of some of the country’s brightest minds, the institution has educated generations of federal public servants, diplomats, ministers of state, and members of parliament. Its unique proximity to the federal government positions UnB as a powerful hub for innovation aligned with public sector transformation.

This partnership reflects a shared vision to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in Brazil, such as Cardano, particularly within government and institutional frameworks. By combining the Cardano Foundation’s global expertise in blockchain infrastructure with UnB’s academic leadership and policy proximity, the collaboration aims to unlock new models for transparency, efficiency, and digital trust in the public sector.

Claudia Jacy Barenco Abbas, Professor at the Engineering Faculty of the University of Brasília, highlights the broader significance of this collaboration: “The convergence of global expertise from Cardano Foundation and academic leadership from University of Brasilia creates a unique environment for responsible innovation in the public sector, delivering solutions that extend far beyond the financial domain.”

Launch of the First Cardano Project Development Lab in Latin America
A central component of this collaboration is the establishment of the first Cardano Project Development Lab in Latin America, to be launched within UnB in partnership with local stakeholders.

The laboratory will serve as a multidisciplinary innovation hub focused on the intersection of:

• Public blockchain infrastructure (Cardano)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Digital identity and governance solutions
• Sustainable and scalable digital infrastructure

This initiative will foster applied research, experimentation, and the development of real-world use cases, with a strong emphasis on solutions tailored to public sector needs.

Rafael Fraga, LATAM Business Development Lead at the Cardano Foundation, emphasizes the importance of building long-term capacity in the region: “This collaboration is about creating the conditions for sustainable blockchain adoption in Latin America. By working closely with leading academic institutions like UnB, we are not only supporting technical development, but also enabling local talent, research, and entrepreneurship to grow around real-world use cases that can scale beyond the region.”

Key Areas of Collaboration
Under the terms, the Cardano Foundation and UnB will collaborate on:

• Academic programs and curriculum development
• Full Semester lectures on the Cardano blockchain
• Integrating blockchain education into undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive training programs.
• Research & development projects
• Joint exploration of innovative use cases involving Cardano’s blockchain, including public administration, digital identity, supply chains, and data integrity.
• Capacity building for Public Sector leaders
• Training programs and workshops designed to equip policymakers and civil servants with knowledge on blockchain and emerging technologies.
• Innovation ecosystem development
• Engagement with startups, government entities, and private sector partners to co-create solutions with real-world impact.

The Cardano Lab at UnB will not only act as a center of excellence but also as a gateway for broader regional engagement, reinforcing Cardano’s commitment to advancing decentralized technologies with meaningful societal impact.