Qualis-CAPES Indexing Brazil: Complete Guide for Engineering Researchers

What is Qualis-CAPES?

Qualis-CAPES is Brazil's official journal classification system managed by CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). CAPES is the Brazilian federal agency responsible for evaluating graduate education programs (mestrado and doutorado) across all disciplines.

The Qualis system serves a critical purpose: it classifies academic journals based on their quality, impact, and relevance to Brazil's scientific community. For engineering researchers, professors, and graduate students in Brazil, understanding Qualis is essential for:

• Academic promotion and career advancement
• Graduate program funding and accreditation
• Research output evaluation (produção intelectual)
• Scholarship eligibility and renewal
• Post-doctoral fellowship applications

The system was established in 1998 and has undergone several revisions, with the most recent framework (Qualis Referência) implemented in 2019 to align with international indexing standards while maintaining Brazil-specific evaluation criteria.

Why Qualis Indexing Matters for Brazilian Engineering Researchers

If you are a researcher affiliated with a Brazilian university or graduate program, Qualis classification directly impacts your academic career. Here is why:

1. Graduate Program Evaluation

CAPES evaluates all graduate programs (stricto sensu) every four years. The evaluation heavily weights publications in Qualis-indexed journals. Programs with faculty publishing in higher-strata journals (A1, A2, A3, A4) receive better scores, leading to:

• Higher CAPES grades (nota 6 or 7 for excellence)
• Increased funding allocation
• Expanded PhD student scholarships
• International recognition and partnerships

2. Individual Researcher Assessment

For individual researchers, Qualis-indexed publications are required for:

• Professor promotions (progressão funcional) at federal and state universities
• Research productivity scholarships (Bolsa de Produtividade em Pesquisa - PQ) from CNPq. Learn more about top PhD fellowships in engineering and science for Brazilian researchers.
• Young Scientist awards (Jovem Cientista)
• Post-doctoral fellowship applications (PNPD, FAPESP, etc.)

3. Graduate Student Requirements

PhD and master's students in Brazilian programs must publish in Qualis-indexed journals before graduation. Most programs require:

• Master's students: At least one Qualis B1 or higher publication
• PhD students: Multiple publications, with at least one in A2 or A1 strata. For guidance, read how to start your PhD research journey in engineering.

4. Research Funding Eligibility

Major Brazilian research funding agencies including CNPq, CAPES, FAPESP, FAPERJ, FAPEMIG, and other state foundations require Qualis-indexed publications in grant proposals and final reports.

How the Qualis Journal Classification System Works

The Qualis system operates through area-specific committees called "áreas de avaliação." Each academic discipline has its own evaluation committee that determines which journals qualify for each stratum.

For Engineering, there are multiple sub-areas. Understanding why interdisciplinary research is shaping the future of engineering can help you identify journals that span multiple CAPES areas.

Including:

Each committee reviews journals based on:

1. International indexing presence (Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ, SciELO). Learn what is Scopus indexing and its importance in engineering research.
2. Impact factor metrics (JIF, CiteScore, SJR)
3. Peer review quality and rigor
4. Editorial board composition and diversity
5. Publication frequency and consistency
6. International authorship and readership
7. Citation patterns from Brazilian researchers

Qualis Rounds and Evaluation Periods

CAPES operates on a quadrennial evaluation cycle (período de avaliação). Each cycle covers four years of graduate program activity and journal evaluation.

Important Update: CAPES announced in 2023 that the Qualis Referência framework will continue with refinements, focusing more on international indexing and reducing emphasis on national-only journals. Stay informed about new guidelines for journal selection that may influence future Qualis criteria.

Qualis Strata Explained: A1 to C

Qualis uses a stratum system from highest to lowest quality:

Stratum Distribution by Engineering Area (Approximate)

For Engineering fields, the distribution typically follows:

• A1: Top 5-8% of journals in the field
• A2: Next 10-12% of journals
• A3-A4: Next 25-30% of journals
• B1-B5: Remaining indexed journals
• C: Journals not meeting Qualis criteria

What This Means for Your Publication Strategy

• A1/A2 publications: Ideal for established researchers, graduate program excellence requirements. Consider top Scopus-indexed journals in engineering and science for A1/A2 targets.
• A3/A4 publications: Suitable for PhD students and early-career researchers. Review Web of Science SCI/SCIE indexed journals for A3/A4 opportunities.
• B1-B3 publications: Acceptable for master's students and initial publications. Explore DOAJ open access journals in engineering for B-level classifications.

Qualis for Engineering and Applied Sciences

Engineering journals face specific evaluation criteria within Qualis. The engineering committees emphasize:

Priority Evaluation Factors for Engineering Journals

1. Scopus Indexing: Scopus presence is nearly mandatory for A1-A3 strata. Learn about ProQuest indexed journals and EBSCOhost indexed engineering journals as additional indexing validations.
2. Scimago Journal Rank (SJR): SJR quartile heavily influences classification
3. CiteScore: Elsevier's metric is increasingly important
4. International Editorial Board: Diversity across countries
5. Publication Language: English-language journals receive preference
6. Brazilian Author Representation: Balance of domestic and international authors

Typical Qualis Strata by Journal Metrics (Engineering)

How to Find Qualis-Indexed Journals

Method 1: Official CAPES Qualis Platform

1. Visit the Sucupira Platform (Plataforma Sucupira) at https://sucupira.capes.gov.br
2. Navigate to "Qualis Periódicos"
3. Select your engineering sub-area
4. Browse or search for journals by ISSN, title, or stratum

Method 2: Qualis List by Area (Updated 2024)

CAPES periodically releases official journal lists by evaluation area. For engineering, check:

• Engenharias I (Civil, Transportation, Sanitary)
• Engenharias II (Mechanical, Naval, Aerospace, Nuclear). See top mechanical engineering journals for this area.
• Engenharias III (Electrical, Electronics, Production, Energy)
• Engenharias IV (Chemical, Materials, Biomedical, Environmental, Food). Review factors for selecting an engineering journal before submitting.

Method 3: University Library Resources

Most Brazilian universities including USP, UNICAMP, UNESP, UFRJ, UFMG, UFRGS, and UFSC provide internal Qualis search tools through their library portals.

Method 4: Qualis Consultation Services

Some graduate programs maintain updated spreadsheets of Qualis-classified journals by area. Contact your program's coordination office (coordenação de pós-graduação). For PhD applicants, understanding university-funded scholarships and assistantships can help plan your publication timeline.

Qualis vs Scopus vs Web of Science: Key Differences

Understanding how Qualis differs from international indexes helps you strategize publications:

Practical Implication

• Publish in Scopus/WoS journals to achieve A1-A4 Qualis strata. Learn which engineering journals offer rapid peer review.
• Publish in DOAJ journals for B1-B3 classification
• Portuguese-language journals typically receive lower strata (B1-B4)

For researchers writing their first manuscript, refer to how to write a research paper in engineering before submitting to Qualis-targeted journals.

How IJOER Supports Brazilian Engineering Researchers

The International Journal of Engineering Research and Science (IJOER) actively supports Brazilian engineering researchers seeking Qualis-indexed publication opportunities. Understanding why IJOER is not a predatory journal helps Brazilian researchers make informed decisions.

IJOER's Qualis Profile for Engineering

Why Brazilian Researchers Choose IJOER

1. Fast publication (3-4 weeks) meets graduate program deadlines
2. Open access ensures maximum visibility for Brazilian research
3. International indexing supports Qualis classification
4. Affordable fees with special rates for Brazilian institutions
5. English language support for manuscripts. For PhD applicants, writing a strong Statement of Purpose and research proposal are equally important.
6. WhatsApp support for Brazilian authors (+55 11 98765-4321)

Steps for Brazilian Authors to Publish in IJOER

1. Prepare your manuscript following IJOER guidelines. Before submission, understand how to choose the right research topic for your PhD.
2. Check plagiarism (must be below 20%, below 5% excluding references)
3. Submit online at https://ijoer.com/submit-article
4. Peer review (2-3 weeks)
5. Acceptance and publication (within 48 hours)
6. DOI assignment through CrossRef

Qualis-CAPES indexing is the backbone of Brazil's graduate education evaluation system. For engineering researchers, understanding Qualis strata, knowing how to find classified journals, and strategically publishing in appropriate journals directly impacts:

• Your graduate program's CAPES score
• Your individual research productivity evaluation. Stay current with trending PhD research topics in engineering and science.
• Your eligibility for funding and scholarships
• Your career advancement in Brazilian academia

IJOER is committed to supporting Brazilian engineering researchers with fast, quality, open-access publication. As we pursue Scopus indexing, our commitment to Brazilian authors remains strong. For those exploring related fields, engineering research trends in China and government-funded projects offer comparative insights.