Intelligence Research Center (NUPI)

The Intelligence Research Center of Esint (Nupi) brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds, trajectories, and institutional affiliations with the common goal of developing research that contributes to expanding knowledge and reflection on Intelligence Activity in Brazil.

Nupi's work is guided by the understanding that the gradual transformation of conceptions and practices concerning the areas of intelligence and security, in interaction with society, contributes to the strengthening of democracy and the improvement of Intelligence Activity in accordance with constitutional and legal precepts.

Nupi is linked to the Esint Graduate Program, which offers postgraduate-level training for ABIN staff and intelligence professionals from Sisbin agencies. It is composed of an executive committee and a group of associate researchers.

Nupi is also responsible for the Brazilian Intelligence Journal.

Research Areas

Intelligence Studies

This area encompasses historiographical, sociological, anthropological, political, and philosophical approaches to the relationships between intelligence activity, the State, and society, including research dedicated to understanding how intelligence, as an institution, organization, and collective actor, interacts with its political and social environment. Furthermore, it also includes the study of aspects related to practices, processes, products, and agents—that is, "how" intelligence is done. Finally, this area also includes research with historical and structural approaches to intelligence services and systems.

Intelligence Themes

This area encompasses research on contemporary themes of global relevance and with impacts on the security and development of people and institutions, in approaches that prioritize the role of state intelligence. Priority themes include the security of democracy, the climate crisis, criminal markets, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and international security.

Future Studies

This encompasses research focused on the collection, analysis, evaluation, comparison, systematization, improvement, and development of methods, techniques, and models designed to support the preparation of prospective studies, as well as their application to specific themes and situations relevant to Brazil.

Academic Research at Esint

External researchers interested in accessing the research resources of the School of Intelligence (ESINT) or in obtaining collaboration in academic projects may submit a formal request to the Institution, which will be subject to technical review by the School. It should be noted that ESINT serves exclusively researchers affiliated with stricto sensu graduate programs (Master’s and PhD levels).

Applicants must hold an institutional affiliation with a Brazilian research entity, clearly and objectively state their request, and provide sufficient documentation to support proper evaluation.

The request must be formalized through a signed letter and must be accompanied, at a minimum, by the following documents:

• request letter;
• identification and contact details of all research participants (full name, CPF, email address, phone number, academic résumé—e.g., Lattes Curriculum—, among others);
• a copy of the research project;
• research instruments to be used (questionnaires, interview guides, documents, or a detailed description of the objects of interest, in the case of bibliographic or museum-based research);
• proof of affiliation with a research institution; and
• a statement signed by the academic supervisor (when applicable) and by the appropriate institutional authority (graduate program, research center or institute, or equivalent), confirming approval of the project and explicit consent regarding the request submitted to ESINT.

Requests should be sent to the following email address: esint@abin.gov.br. Please note that submission of a request does not imply automatic approval and that the review process takes up to 30 days.