The Ministry of Environment (MMA), the leader for environmental questions, and the Ministry of Education, linked with the universities, also play important roles in the general innovation system. At the national level, the priorities for R&D are established by government through the different ministries involved in innovation, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The main agency of the MCT to support agricultural research is the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). It delivers grants and project funding, through competitive public calls. Beneficiaries are researchers in public or not-for-profit private high education institutions and R&D institutions and centres, and public companies with science, technology or innovation research activities.