The first national award "Challenge" has been established in Russia. The winners will receive an award of 10 million rubles. Who can apply? Who will choose the winners? This and more was discussed at the Forum of Future Technologies.
The new award is designed to improve the landscape of Russian science and technology, according to a professor, head of the materials design laboratory at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology.
We are living in difficult times now. But everyone, of course, has heard the phrase that a crisis is not only a danger, but also an opportunity. And we want to seize this opportunity now. There are discussions in the scientific press and serious scientific journals that Russian scientists cannot be rewarded now. No insignia, no honors, if you like, scientists working in Russia cannot receive: Russian science should turn into a scorched field, and scientists should leave Russia. Science should be plunged into a complete blockade. I must say that I do not know a single Russian scientist who has been awarded any international awards for scientific achievements in the last year and a half.
The award includes four nominations: "Perspective", "Scientist of the Year", "Engineering Solution" and "Breakthrough". Applications from participants will be accepted until September 14 of this year. The short list will be formed and the winners will be determined between October 16 and December 18. A special scientific committee will select the winners. "The rules we have established are not disclosed. The work of the committee is confidential. But the rules, believe me, are extremely strict, excluding any attempts at subjectivity," Oganov explained.
Any such undertaking is impossible without the faith of people and reliable partners, added Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Challenge Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations. For example, Gazprombank was one of the initiators of the award. Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the credit institution, explained why this event is important for the country, scientists and the development of the economy.
Our mission is to invest in and support talent in the country. The award is one of the main tools. Artem has already said that Russian scientists are undeservedly excluded from the international recognition system. It seems to me that this award is not only about money. This award is about the recognition of a scientist, about passion and inspiration. Without this, believe me, there will be no future technologies. There is a place for invention in any technology. There is a place for an idea in any invention, and any idea is usually made by scientists. Everything that we use was invented by someone. Our task is to turn this game around. To make sure that scientists do not try to find recognition for themselves, do not try to explain to everyone that their role is very important.
According to Alexey Fedorov, head of the Quantum Information Technologies scientific group at the Russian Quantum Center, the award may also become an impetus and a new stage in the development of a scientist's career.
Let us add that the award ceremony will be held on December 19, 2023. Applications from participants are already being accepted.