The University of Contestado was founded in 1997, when there was the Union Education of the Upper Rio do Peixe Valley Foundation (FEARPE) in Hunter, Foundation of Plateau Schools Santa Catarina (FUNPLOC) in Canoinhas, Educational Foundation of High Uruguay Santa Catarina ( FEAUC) in Concord, Central Plateau Foundation of Santa Catarina (FEPLAC) in Curitibanos and North Educational Foundation of Santa Catarina (FUNORTE) in Mafra, around a single institution. The UNC has been recognized in 21 of October 1997 (Opinion 42/97-EC), and officially installed by the State Government on 3 of December 1997 (Opinion 246/97-EEC). Its name is a tribute to the region Contestado. In October 2009, the dismemberment of the Hunter campus was announced, which was renamed UNIARP (University of Upper Fish River Valley). The other campus were unified at the administrative as academic part being kept by the func (Foundation University of Contestado)