Historical series Itaú Unibanco and the Itaú Institute of Science and Technology (ICTi) expand opportunities for researchers and offer scholarships of up to R$ 11,000
The “Itaú Academics” and “ICTi Fellows” initiatives are now open for applications. These programs allow undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students to participate in the bank’s highly complex challenges, putting their technical and scientific knowledge into practice.
More than 200 academics have already been selected and participated in bank projects that have driven innovation within the financial ecosystem.
São Paulo, March 20, 2026 – Itaú Unibanco reinforces its commitment to valuing academic knowledge by maintaining two initiatives that connect researchers to the financial ecosystem and to real business challenges: Itaú Academics and ICTi Fellows, a program run by the Itaú Institute of Science and Technology (ICTi). The initiatives offer complementary opportunities for master’s, doctoral students, and researchers from across the country to work on innovation, applied research, and technological development projects.
Applications for Itaú Academics are open from March 20 to April 12, while the ICTi Fellows program keeps opportunities open throughout the year, depending on the demand of Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) projects. Applications can be submitted through each program’s website.
“Innovation in the financial sector increasingly depends on a close relationship with academia. By connecting scientific research with real business challenges, we are able to transform knowledge into applied solutions with a direct impact for clients and for society,” says Carlos Eduardo Mazzei, Technology Director at Itaú Unibanco.
Since its inception, Itaú Academics has involved more than 200 academics, including master’s and doctoral students, while ICTi Fellows currently has 83 active fellows working on projects of high technical complexity. Together, the initiatives expand Itaú’s reach in the academic ecosystem, respecting the particularities of each working model.
For Paola Visani, Human Resources Superintendent at Itaú Unibanco, the presence of academic specialists strengthens the bank’s people ecosystem. “These professionals bring relevant skills such as critical thinking and analytical depth. By integrating them into our teams, we expand the diversity of backgrounds, accelerate innovation, and create consistent career development paths,” she highlights. Among the initiatives are:
Itaú Academics
With a duration of three months, the program is aimed at researchers interested in working on short-term projects, focusing on the practical application of knowledge and quick deliveries. The employment relationship is under the CLT regime, with all benefits offered by Itaú Unibanco, and a hybrid work model in São Paulo.
For this edition, the average monthly salary will start at R$ 6,892.31, reinforcing the value of academic background within the corporate environment.
To apply and learn more, access the position: https://vemproitau.gupy.io/jobs/10988481?jobBoardSource=’gupy_public_page’
ICTi Fellows
Focused on structured Research, Development, and Innovation projects, the program offers research scholarships for graduates, master’s, and PhDs to work in areas such as engineering, data science, mathematics, and other highly specialized fields. The initial duration is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to 24 months. Selected candidates receive a research grant, not an employment relationship, and work 100% remotely. Scholarship values vary according to the level of education and the granting institution, ranging from R$ 4,900 to R$ 11,000, reflecting the diversity of profiles and projects included. Scholarships are made available according to demand throughout the entire year.