This document provides an overview of the innovation systems and capabilities of the BRIC countries, with a focus on comparing Russia to Brazil, India, and China. It summarizes that while the BRIC countries have made progress improving their knowledge economies and global competitiveness in recent decades, their innovation systems remain underdeveloped compared to more advanced nations. The document then analyzes each BRIC country separately in terms of their internal resources, external resources, and economic incentives for innovation. For Brazil specifically, it notes challenges such as low private sector R&D spending and a cultural aversion to long-term investment, but also scientific strengths in fields like agriculture and opportunities in emerging industries like renewable energy and life sciences.