Evaluating the outcomes of Embrapa’s scientific contributions on policy documents: an exploratory assessment using the Overton database

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the outcomes of scientific production linked to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) in the policy-making process, addressing key issues such as the type of use of this expertise, the leading national and international institutions that use it, and the predominant topics addressed in these documents. Methodologically, an exploratory study was conducted using bibliographic and documentary review activities, as well as the Overton data source. The results highlight Embrapa’s relevance not only at the national level but also in international contexts, indicating its substantial influence on policy documents produced by governmental and intergovernmental bodies, especially in the Global North—a result linked to the limitations of the database used. The assessment of topics associated with the identified policy documents indicates that the knowledge and technologies produced by Embrapa extend beyond the agricultural sector, encompassing other areas such as “sustainability and climate change”, “deforestation and forest degradation”, and “health and poverty”. This case study serves as a concrete application of emerging scientometric methods for tracing research impact beyond academia. It demonstrates the potential of policy document analysis to capture the broader societal contribution of mission-oriented research institutions, while also critically examining the methodological limitations of such tools for global research evaluation. The analysis highlighted themes of outcomes other than the traditional competencies of Embrapa, notably new cultivars, genetics, and agronomic techniques. The potentialities and limitations associated with the Overton database were also considered, taking into account the results obtained.