This article aims to stimulate a broad debate on the underlying logic in the policy for training researchers implemented by Brazilian science and technology funding agencies. The study was designed to answer the following question: when a country achieves domestic scientific training capability in sufficient quantity and quality, can it entirely do without training researchers abroad? The argument developed here is that the response depends on the respondent's premise. The article goes on to analyzes how different countries have dealt with the issue. Based on the data, the trend is to stimulate the mobility of human resources, especially young researchers who are still at the doctoral level. The Brazilian case is presented as 'running contrary' to current trends.443607631