In this work we present an overview of the Brazilian superior educational system and a summary of the scientific research activities in these institutions. Brazilian public university is responsible for about 90% of the overall scientific production of the country, being the main institutional support of scientific research and researchers formation. Private institutions are responsible for 60% of the students registered in the superior educational system. Brazilian education model stands because it stimulates the improvement of the quality of the research staff and by establishing very active research groups in the public universities. Recently, Brazilian public institutions have been questioned for their high cost and low efficiency. New proposals concerning autonomy, evaluation mechanisms and control of the financial crisis are under discussion.