O Postgraduate Program in Neuroengineering (PPGN) of the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) is located in Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience (IIN-ELS), in Macaíba (RN). In 2013, IIN-ELS offered the first Master's degree in Neuroengineering in Brazil. This course was recommended by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, 33280010001P2) under the Basic Area Engineering IV of College of Exact, Technological and Multidisciplinary Sciences. In 2024, the PPGN requested the change from the Basic Area to the Area Interdisciplinary, with a favorable opinion from the new assessment area issued on February 25, 2025 (SEI 2677957).

This shift to the Interdisciplinary Basic Area reflects the PPGN's evolution toward a science without borders, seeking to train qualified human resources with scientific and technological production who contribute to the institutional mission of using science for the benefit of society. In this way, the PPGN encourages the training of professionals who join in tackling Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and use science to reduce inequalities and improve society.

Neuroengineering is an interdisciplinary area that requires a comprehensive infrastructure shared laboratories and, above all, technically qualified human resources with the behavioral skills to foster an interdisciplinary approach. Thus, the IIN-ELS was organized to bridge the existing barriers between the exact, biological, and human sciences. In an era when information generation and sharing occur rapidly, the mindset of future managers and professionals must be current, open, and interdisciplinary to contribute not only to the Northeast region, but above all to the development of Brazil.

Starting in 2025, the Master's in Neuroengineering has moved to the Interdisciplinary Basic Area and will continue to be offered free of charge and in person, lasting up to 24 months and with semester enrollment.

It is important to highlight to interested students that interdisciplinary training in the PPGN involves the integration of various basic knowledge in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurobiology, schedule It is signal processing, with their respective Standard Operating Procedures (POP) to be followed in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices, Clinical Research, Ethics in Animal Research It is Ethics in Human Research. Considering the importance of science in transforming society, at PPGN students also routinely contribute to scientific dissemination, receiving visitors in the laboratories and demonstrating the role of neuroscience and neuroengineering in schools, fairs, conferences, symposia and other scientific events.

Therefore, in the PPGN it is possible to develop neural network simulations, produce microelectrode arrays thinner than hair for neurosurgical implants, reconstruct three-dimensional images of nervous system cells, record electrophysiological and metabolic neural activity, develop brain-machine interfaces for the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord or sensory injuries, develop neurotechnologies and many more activities that can positively impact society and interdisciplinary training.

The PPGN aims to:

I – Develop advanced scientific research in Neuroengineering;

II – To train professionals capable of multi- and interdisciplinary work in Neuroengineering, in the field of scientific research and public or private technological bodies;

III – Encourage, disseminate and apply new knowledge in a regional, national and international context;

IV – Promote science as an agent of cultural stimulation and integration with regional communities.