2024 Annual Meeting of the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Funding Working Group took place on 24-25 September 2024 in Moscow, Russia. The working groups regularly meets during the year in virtual format to discuss ongoing activities, developments and urgent issues, but this meeting was special, as it was a first time the working group met in enlarged format, welcoming representatives of the new BRICS member states.

One of the most important outcomes of the meeting is approval of the Terms of Reference for the BRICS STI Framework Programme. This document is designed to replace outdated Arrangements for the BRICS STI Framework Programme which were signed back in 2016.
The Terms of Reference are designed to carry on successful story of the BRICS SIT FP and ensure stable and long-lasting legal ground for further development of the program.

Another important result of the meeting is enlargement of the BRICS STI FP. Three STI funding organizations from Egypt and Iran became new member organizations of the program:
- Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF), Egypt;
- Iran National Innovation Fund (INIF);
- Iran National Science Foundation (INSF).   

As result, a total of 17 organizations are currently members of the BRICS STI Framework Programme.

The participants of the meeting have also discussed further activities, including calls for proposals. We will release more information following the developments of the new activities.