To the UKRI, NERC and AHRC, 

We, the undersigned Brazilian scholars, experts in Brazil, and wider academic community,

Herein express our deep shock and grievance at the title of the UKRI call: "Amazon +10 initiative: research expeditions to the Amazon", open until 30th April 2024, which aims to: "support the organisation of scientific expeditions aimed at expanding our knowledge about biodiversity or socio-cultural diversity in the Amazon". 

While we welcome the opportunity to work with Brazilian partners and to fund initiatives that contribute to the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, we question the title and the framing of this call due to its colonial roots.

European-led "expeditions" during colonialism, from the 16th century onwards, to the Americas, including Brazil, resulted in the expropriation of indigenous populations from their lands, genocide, extraction  of raw material, and destruction of local cultures. Quite noticeably, the term "expedition" is not present on the Brazilian webpage referring to the partnership UKRI-FAPESP. 

Framing this research funding initiative as an "expedition" also places Brazil, the Amazon, and its peoples, as a remote frontier, which, in the language of colonialism, has the effects of calling it an uncivilised land and peoples.

Furthermore, the aim of such a collaboration should not be to expand "our" knowledge, but rather to support local initiatives and work with partners in the Amazon to strengthen their capacity of action in defence of the forest and the peoples who inhabit the region.

The Brazilian legal Amazon is not a commodity to be appropriated, it is the home of 16 million people, and it is one of the largest and most diverse biome on earth. This also includes local knowledge production. While research is important, it cannot be done at any cost or in unethical ways. 

Therefore, we request the UKRI to change the title of the call and to choose more carefully their words, aims and objectives. We trust that you will understand how the choice of words in the current title is offensive, and that you will act in good faith to implement a partnership where Brazil is treated as equal, and not as place to be "discovered". 

With our best regards,