Thank you for your interest in conducting research at the Alto da Figueira Reserve, a 120-hectare private reserve of permanent protection (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, municipality of Nova Friburgo; see exact location here). Since November 2025, we are able to offer accommodation and infrastructure at the Alto da Figueira Field Station. This is the headquarters of the Atlantic Forest Research and Conservation Alliance (ARAÇÁ). We also manage a second reserve, called Pirineus, of about 300 hectares within the Tres Picos State Park, where we maintain a smaller facility with simpler amenities. 

The reserves and research facilities are managed by the private Brazilian charity Fundação Antonelli para a Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade founded by Brazilian scientist Alexandre Antonelli and his wife Anna. They also founded the Swedish Antonelli Foundation for Biodiversity Research and Conservation, under the brand "Hidden Universe: Biodiversity".  Both foundations are non-profit, non-partisan and non-religious. 

The mission of ARAÇÁ is to understand and protect Brazil's Atlantic Forest through world-class research, conservation and training. To achieve this goal, we work with organisations and individuals who share our values and goals. Our key words are: excellence, inclusion, sustainability, cooperation, ambition, innovation, quality, responsibility, transparency and inclusion. 

This form aims at gathering basic information about your objectives and plans. This step helps us ensure that your proposed project aligns with our mission and complements the ongoing research already taking place in our reserves. We are particularly keen to host projects that are collaborative, long-term, and integrative. We are also open and keen to discuss scientific collaborations aimed at strengthening the quality and impact of the research envisaged. We will get back to you if we have additional questions or suggestions.

For more information, please visit www.araca-project.org and www.hu-b.org