Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko Met With Representatives of Vyzov Foundation

Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, held a working meeting with representatives of the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations. It was attended by Dmitry Zauers, Board Member of the Vyzov Foundation, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprombank; Ruslan Yunusov, Head of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation, co-founder of the Russian Quantum Center; Ekaterina Solntseva, Chief Digital Officer at State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM; Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Vyzov Foundation; Gregory Velikikh, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation; Aleksey Fedorov, a young scientist and Deputy Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the VYZOV Prize; and others. The meeting took place at the Coordination Center of the Government of the Russian Federation in Moscow.

The participants discussed various projects run by the Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations, including the key project, VYZOV National Prize for Future Technologies, and outlined areas for future cooperation.

"President Vladimir Putin has identified "Technological Leadership" among national development goals. In order to achieve it, we need to focus our efforts on training of skilled workers, popularization of science, and raising the profile of science as occupation. The VYZOV National Prize, held with the participation of Rosatom State Corporation and the Russian business community, provide a means to incentivize our researchers and inventors. This year alone, nearly 600 applications from 34 countries have been submitted for the award, which demonstrates Russia's openness to a friendly and productive dialogue with scientists from different countries," emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Photo: Photobank of Vyzov Foundation

In 2024, over 84% applications came from Russian scientists representing 58 Russian regions. The international "Discovery" category received 106 high-level applications from countries including China, the USA, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, India, and Israel.

"Gazprombank has been supporting technology and science-intensive industries for many years, including early-stage research in areas such as quantum technologies and neobiotechnologies. We are confident that that talents play a key role in the creation and development of such areas, and we need to believe and invest in them if we want to see outstanding results. That is why we have co-founded and sponsor the Vyzov Foundation, an initiative aimed at popularizing science and turning scientists into heroes of our time," said Dmitry Zauers, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprombank.

Photo: Photobank of Vyzov Foundation

The Foundation carries out projects aimed at the expansion of science diplomacy, holds events featuring international experts, representatives of ministries, diplomatic missions and leading universities, pressing the case that science knows no borders and therefore it is important to develop international relations.

"We aim to make scientists and their discoveries a symbol of success in modern-day Russia and take unconventional approach to popularization of science and technology. We organize high-profile events in multimedia formats with the participation of Russian artists and musicians as well as scientists. We create science-related theatrical performances together with Russia's leading directors, thus popularizing science and scientists in our country. The Awards Ceremony of the VYZOV Prize is one of the most exciting events of the year, featuring prominent researchers, statesmen, entrepreneurs, athletes, and acclaimed artists," commented Leonid Shlyakhover, President of the Vyzov Foundation.

The participants of the event discussed other projects aimed at developing the ecosystem for future technologies in Russia and key measures to promote it. In particular, they mentioned the Future Technologies Forum, an annual event attended by the President of the Russian Federation that serves as a catalyst for the advancement of science-intensive industries, and the activities of the Russian Quantum Center. Another example of projects enhancing the ecosystem for future technologies in Russia is the LIFT Center for the Development of Neurobiotechnology that brings together Russian neurophysiologists, chemists, materials scientists, physicians and physicists to work on the development of neuro- and other medical technologies.

"A crucial goal of all our projects, including the Future Technologies Forum and the Vyzov Foundation, is to create conditions and tools that would allow Russian scientists to return to our country, as well as to bring in foreign specialists willing to advance science and new technologies, thus raising the profile and interest in scientific activities. This, in turn, will contribute to motivating young people to engage in science," said Ruslan Yunusov, Head of the Board of the Vyzov Foundation, co-founder of the Russian Quantum Center.

Deputy Prime Minister concluded the meeting by providing recommendations to the Foundation regarding cooperation with Russian universities and implementation of initiatives within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology.

Photo: Photobank of Vyzov Foundation

Background:

Vyzov Foundation for the Development of Scientific and Cultural Relations is founder and organizer of the VYZOV National Prize for Future Technologies. The establishment of the Prize was announced in July 2023 at the Future Technologies Forum organized by Roscongress Foundation. Following the event, the President of the Russian Federation directed to establish an award for outstanding scientific discoveries and achievements in the field of future technologies (presidential decree PR-1743 dated September 3, 2023).

Co-founder of the Vyzov Foundation is Gazprombank. Its partners are Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation and Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of Moscow.

The Foundation works in three areas: the VYZOV National Prize for Future Technologies, events under "Science+Culture" brand, and international SCIENCE.DIALOGUE.TRUST events.

The VYZOV Prize is awarded for science-intensive projects that have significant potential to improve people's lives and can be implemented within ten years.

The first Awards Ceremony took place at the Moscow Manege on December 19, 2023, celebrating winners in four categories. This year, the list has been expanded to five categories, and the number of applications for the award has more than doubled, to 594 from 218. Winners of the second season of the VYZOV Prize will be announced on December 19. The 2024 prize fund is 55 million rubles. Winners in "Future", "Engineering Solution", "Breakthrough", "Scientist of the Year" categories, and in the international "Discovery" nomination will each receive 11 million rubles.