1. [;en]Considering the mission of the PPG-OFT/ORL/CCP to train high-quality masters and doctors, capable of autonomously performing teaching and research functions, with innovative scientific production, nationally and internationally recognized, that explores the frontiers of knowledge and that presents great potential for application and national and international recognition, and that is attentive to the needs of society, (https://www.fmrp.usp.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/02/PROJETO-ACADEMICO-INSTITUCIONAL_2023_2027_FINAL_REVISADO.pdf), we have adopted the following goals for our Strategic Planning. We will describe not only the Planning, but also the strategies we have adopted to achieve the proposed goals.

a. Seek or consolidate national and international partnerships, with research groups that bring synergies with our research lines and projects, and that enable the production of innovative scientific knowledge of high relevance to the scientific community and society. Examples within our PPG are the partnerships established with national groups, such as the Virology group (Prof. Eurico Arruda Neto), Pharmacology (Prof. Fernando Queiroz Cunha), Immunology (Prof. Paulo Louzada Junior) and Allergology (Prof. Luiza Karla Arruda) of FMRP-USP, the Pharmaceutical Sciences laboratory of UFMG (Professor Armando Cunha), the Oral Surgery and Pathology Laboratory of UFMG (Professor Carolina Cavalieri Gomes), the School of Pharmacy of USP-RP (Professor Dr. Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez) and Vitreous Materials Engineering of UFSCAR (Professors Oscar Peitl and Marcello Andreeta), Prof. Dr. Monica Alves, (FCM, Unicamp, Campinas, SP). In addition to national partnerships, it is worth highlighting partnerships with international researchers, such as the University of Salamanca in Spain, the Universities of Porto and Minho in Portugal, Professor Justine Smith (Flinders University, Australia), Professor Carlos Gustavo de Moraes (Columbia University – New York, NY, USA), Prof. Cintia Sade de Paiva (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA), Prof. William Daniel Stamer (Duke University), Prof. Martin Desrosiers (Université de Montréal, Canada), Dr. John A. Chiorini from the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research (NIDCR/NIH) in Bethesda, MD, USA, and Prof. Zélia Maria da Silva Correa from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami Health System). The consolidation of internal partnerships has been achieved thanks to the reciprocal search encouraged by the FMRP-USP Research Committee in recent years, mediated by frequent scientific meetings for this purpose. Externally, the consolidation of partnerships has been possible thanks to scientific collaboration, the exchange of students and faculty abroad, in addition to the exchange of experience through the discipline ROO5748 Research and Innovations in Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery.

b. Improvement of the technical quality of research projects: in addition to national and international partnerships, which add expertise in the project development process, we have implemented ways to periodically and more closely monitor students (such as the Postgraduate symposiums and Research Day), with the involvement not only of the advisor, but also of researchers external to the project and even the program. As for scientific dissemination, we have traditionally been hindered by dissemination in highly specific journals, which generally have less representation and consequently a lower impact factor. We have tried to improve this point with research involving the participation of faculty from other areas (basic and clinical, with translational and multidisciplinary research respectively) and from other institutions, increasing the impact of our research. Despite publications in journals with varying impact factor levels, a significant number of our publications have a significant citation rate, which highlights the importance of the research carried out in the program for the public of related researchers.

c. Improved access to cutting-edge equipment within a multi-user park: The Research Committee, together with the faculty management, has organized and consolidated the multi-user equipment park at the Institution, in order to make the use of more robust and cutting-edge tools accessible for carrying out basic and translational research. Our PPG has also contributed to the construction of this multi-user equipment park, such as the acquisition of an RT-PCR and the computerized visual field device (http://roo.fmrp.usp.br/laboratorio-de-ciencias-virtuais/).

d. Improving the dissemination of actions carried out by the PPG-OFT/ORL/CCP: In 2020, we updated the PPG website for better navigation and content incorporation. In the same year, we created a page on the main social networks (Instagram and Facebook) to publicize the program’s activities. The PPG’s social media and website have been updated by Secretary Luciana Campanini and the IT technician who provides consultancy to the Department, Mr. Ricardo Perussi. In addition to increasing visibility, these actions aim to facilitate communication between the PPG and potential interested parties, and to arouse the interest of potential students in enrolling in postgraduate studies.

e. Recruiting more students for postgraduate studies: In recent years, we have noticed a growing lack of interest in enrolling in postgraduate studies, especially medical students. To increase the dissemination of our activities and the search for students with an excellent profile and academic vocation, we have reinforced the importance of continuing academic training, encouraging both scientific initiation students and medical residents to remain in postgraduate studies. Since 2011, the Otorhinolaryngology Division has instituted a mandatory Final Course Project for completion of medical residency, through the execution of high-quality scientific works throughout the three years of latu sensu training. Likewise, the Speech Therapy course requires the submission of a final course project during the undergraduate course. These actions have had beneficial effects on the PPG, as many resident physicians and speech therapy students continue their projects in postgraduate studies. In addition, changes in our regulations have allowed resident physicians who stand out in scientific production to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree in our PPG at the same time as their specialization in ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.

f. Improvement of Technical Support for the Production of Scientific Works: both the PPG and the Institution have expanded technical support for data analysis, scientific writing and financial support for publications. These initiatives include the implementation of the biostatistics service by the research committee since 2019, the statistical and IT assistance provided by our specialized laboratory technician, Dr. Denny Marcos, the institutional provision of English spelling checker tools (Grammarly and Trinka) and a graphic designer (Dr. Hermes Prado Jr). In parallel, the HCRP Research, Teaching and Assistance Support Foundation increased the fund allocated to publications (currently R$5,600). https://www.faepa.br/Download/ProgramaAuxilio/Programa_Auxilios_FAEPA.pdf

g. Use of REDCap software in clinical trials and translational research. REDCap is an electronic data capture software that allows optimizing the workflow methodology in clinical and translational trials. FMRP-USP would partner with Vanderbilt University, the software developer, and has been offering ongoing training to our faculty, laboratory technicians, and graduate students on how to use this software. The PPG has the direct assistance of IT technician Ricardo Perussi, who is responsible for managing this platform at FMRP-USP.

h. Updating the PPG’s curriculum content: Due to the constant changes in the needs for technical and scientific knowledge in our area, we are vigilant about the current demands within our program. In addition to the constant review of the disciplines taught by the respective coordinators, we have instituted a structured assessment for students and faculty, so that we can keep the demands updated and met in a more dynamic manner.

i. Strategic meetings for the program: since 2020, the members of the CCP have been meeting monthly, both for deliberative meetings and also for strategic discussions, seeking constant improvement of the program.

j. Increase nucleation and solidarity. A significant portion (60%) of our graduates are currently involved in teaching and/or research activities (66% of PhD graduates, 49% of Masters graduates), although there is still ample room for growth. Most of the nucleation has occurred in activities predominantly linked to teaching and assistance, so we believe it is important to strengthen the nucleation of research groups in the respective areas. The PPG aims to strengthen cooperation and agreements with the institutions or research laboratories where these graduates are located, so that the nucleation of these centers can be consolidated and strengthened. During the four-year period, we had several meetings about possible partnerships with other institutions in the North and Northeast for MINTER/DINTER, but for various reasons they were not consolidated by the end of the four-year period. Over the next cycle, the PPG aims to create partnerships with institutions through MINTER/DINTER to achieve this goal, in addition to encouraging multicenter studies, coordinated by program faculty members, but with the participation of graduates from their respective institutions.

k) Strengthening the Institution’s multiuser structure – With the aim of increasing integration between FMRP’s own laboratories, we have encouraged the use of Multiuser Laboratories, both in the acquisition of equipment and opening it for use by the entire institution, as well as making use of equipment made available by other departments. Shared use has helped in the exchange of knowledge in the areas of activity of colleagues at the institution, favoring the occurrence of interdepartmental research.

l) Obtaining financial resources – Program faculty members have obtained substantial support such as thematic projects from FAPESP, Universal CNPq, external funding such as PRONON, international development institutions and partnerships involving the private sector in projects involving postgraduate students in technological development. Such funding, in addition to that obtained from the usual funding agencies, will be important for maintaining the program’s research in the coming years.