Challenge Accepted: Applications for the Future Technology Prize have begun

Within the framework of the Future Technologies Forum, a press conference was held dedicated to the establishment of the National Prize in the field of future technologies “Challenge” and the start of accepting applications from applicants. The award is intended to celebrate fundamental breakthroughs, ideas and inventions that are changing the landscape of modern science and the life of every person.

The Challenge Award is unique and timed to coincide with the decade of science and technology, announced from 2022 by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“July 14, 2023 is an important day for Russian science. In 5–10 years, we will remember him,” said Emil Petrosyan, Deputy Head of the Department for Investment and Industrial Policy of the City of Moscow.

He stressed that Moscow is the center of scientific and engineering thought in Russia.

“We have about 4,000 industrial enterprises in the city, and every third of them is high-tech. If we have more than 720 thousand people working at these enterprises, then thousands of them are talented scientists and inventors,” Petrosyan said. – We are actively developing high-tech industries. One of the largest special economic zones (SEZ) of the technology-innovative type is located in Moscow. It is there that the commercialization of those research and development works that exist takes place. It is here that experimental, experimental batches become series, and the benefits that the residents of these SEZs receive allow them to save money or finance new developments.”

According to Emil Petrosyan, Moscow actively supports scientific projects. “This is done, for example, within the framework of cluster platforms, where we combine science, development, pilot batches and mass production of final products. This year we created the Federal Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Rudnevo. We actively participate in the National Project on Unmanned Aerial Systems. On July 13, my colleagues and I announced the creation of the Moscow Quantum Cluster, which will also be engaged in various developments and the connection of all components of the system. Of course, we could not but support the idea of ​​creating the Challenge Award, Emil Petrosyan concluded.

The award and a significant cash prize, which is 10 million rubles, will be awarded according to the results of the award in the nominations “Perspective”, “Scientist of the Year”, “Engineering Solution” and “Breakthrough”.

The development of the country is impossible without personnel, emphasized the Ombudsman in the field of protecting the rights of high-tech leading companies Natalia Popova.

“If young people don’t feel they are needed and important, they won’t come into this industry,” she said. “We should be engaged in the popularization of scientific activity, as well as established scientists and beginners.”

Ruslan Yunusov, advisor to the head of Rosatom State Corporation, in turn noted that the Nobel Prize, which young specialists sought to receive, has already turned into a lobbying tool.

“We want Russian novice scientists to strive to receive the Challenge Prize, because it is independent and honorable,” he stressed.

According to the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Challenge Prize, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of Skoltech, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences Artem Oganov, the award will change the landscape of Russian science and technology for the better.

The Challenge Award will be presented in different disciplines: physics, life sciences, materials sciences, mathematics and computer sciences. Works for the last 10 years will be taken into account.

“The main goal of the award is to inspire people. Only the most worthy will receive the award,” Oganov emphasized.

President of the Fund for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations “Challenge”, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the National Prize in the field of future technologies “Challenge” Leonid Shlyakhover noted that the Fund’s task is to restore the prestige of Russian scientists and Russian science.

Applications from applicants are accepted from July 14 to September 14, 2023. The solemn ceremony of awarding the winners of the “Challenge” award will be held on December 19, 2023.