Business programme 2023

The megagrant programme has helped create 345 world-class scientific laboratories at Russian universities and scientific organizations. Leading scientists from 40 countries are involved in such scientific research, including more than 100 Russian scientists who live abroad. Thanks to the programme, they were able to return to their homeland, and many of them have stayed here to live and work after the completion of the grant. As of 2022, as a result of research conducted as part of the programme, almost 10,000 articles had been published in scientific journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database, with almost 3,000 of them being published in first quartile journals. The programme’s implementation has had a positive impact on the activities of universities and scientific organizations, not only due to the opening of laboratories equipped with the latest equipment, but also due to improvements in the educational process. Over the course of the programme, 268 educational programmes were created, developed, and implemented as part of the declared focus of scientific research. The programme is also crucial to attracting talented young researchers to science and creating the most comfortable conditions for research work and successful professional trajectories for them. Young researchers under the age of 39 make up 67% of employees at megagrant laboratories. Since 2010, more than 1,100 young scientists have defended their Ph.D. theses as part of work conducted using the megagrants. There are already examples of scientific laboratories being transformed into scientific centres, research institutes, and other research structures, which is a testament to the high standards and effectiveness of the programme. Overseas, the megagrant programme is rightfully considered a hallmark of Russian science. What is the significance of the programme for Russian science, universities, and scientific organizations? How is the modernization process coming along? What opportunities do researchers have as part of the megagrant programme?

Russia has numerous institutions that support young scientists. The Decade of Science and Technology offers a platform for new initiatives and one of its main goals is to get talented young people more involved in research and technology. How can we create a clear motivation and desire for members of the new generation to connect their lives with science? How can we encourage bold ideas without being afraid of breakthroughs, while at the same time assessing risks? How can we find a balance between the importance of fundamental science and the appeal of applied research? How important are the personal brands of young scientists and how can they become symbols of success in modern Russia? What growth prospects does Russia have right now? Why are future technologies needed for life in the present and how exactly can they drive Russia’s positioning at the forefront of global technological innovation?

The main discussion topic will be the prospects for developing innovative areas of science, combining classical approaches and digital technologies, and related changes in the training of specialists in various fields: from sports and education to the space industry and design. An equally important aspect is the support of young scientists and scientific projects that aim to popularize science among young people and ensure their harmonious development, taking into account the emergence of new material and technical conditions. In education, is the phygital format the missing link or a familiar reality? What is the educational potential of phygital sports and how can we train highly competitive specialists in this field right now? How is the phygital concept becoming the foundation for the development of innovative areas of science? What modern scientific technologies are specialists using today to maintain a healthy lifestyle among young people? The panel discussion will be a starting point in shaping the Phygital Science scientific initiative and the preparatory part of the business programme of the Games of the Future International Tournament in February-March 2024.

The rhythmic legislative regulation of scientific activities is a key component of Russia’s scientific and technological development in the current geopolitical situation and rapidly changing world. An open dialogue needs to be held about ways to provide legislative support for scientific activities. What current legislative initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency of scientific activities in Russia? Why are issues about legislation related to the scientific and technological sector particularly relevant today? What proposals and initiatives need to be considered to improve the legal regulation of research and development?

As part of Resolution No. 1902 of the Russian Government dated 27 December 2019, the Ministry of Education and Science launched the so-called ‘100 million’ competition for ambitious scientific projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development. Based on the competition, support was provided for 41 projects (for three years), of which 21 projects were extended for a fourth year. What are the results of the four-year period? Is RUB 100 million a year enough to achieve a breakthrough result? What are some of the unique features of collaborating in consortia? Are there plans to develop and introduce new technologies based on the results of the project?

Identifying the optimal private and public tools for attracting investment from the academic environment for innovative projects is a key component for supporting knowledge-intensive businesses in Russia. Scenarios need to be created for to attract funding and establish a business for the scientific community. What is the best way to attract investment to scale a knowledge-intensive business? How should funding be obtained from a venture fund? What conditions are private investors offering? What government support instruments exist? Could an industrial company help strengthen the solution?

Personnel at Russian schools are being trained in the most in-demand subjects for the Russian economy, and conditions are being created for breakthrough developments and research that aim to solve problems related to priority areas of Russia’s technological development that are relevant and important on a global scale. The Advanced Engineering Schools project is a tool that the federal executive authorities can use to support interaction and cooperation between advanced engineering schools and industry. What are the most effective approaches to promoting engineering? What opportunities does the project offer for young researchers? What is the best way to promote the professional growth of young researchers and support them as part of the project?

Youth laboratories at Russian universities play a key role in the development of research activities among young people. The session will serve as a platform to discuss the role and importance of youth laboratories in terms of involving young people in scientific research and obtaining new products and developments. More than 200 modern youth laboratories have already been created and are conducting work in the following areas: microelectronics, new medicine, new energy, as well as research in agricultural sciences, climate change, genetics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, robotics, ecology, and economics. Youth laboratories provide a format that offers successful young leaders the opportunity to put together an interesting team and realize their potential on a promising topic under the guidance of an established academician or a recognized specialist from Russia or another country. And the government, along with businesses, universities, and scientific organizations, provides the necessary resources not only for salaries, but also for instruments, mobility, and everything that is needed to work on science and create new competitive products and developments not just for Russia, but for world-class research as well. What are the advantages of youth laboratories in terms of research activities to enhance the appeal of Russian science and education for young researchers and students so that they can generate new products and engage in scientific activities? What is the best way to maintain competitiveness in the world market and preserve the country’s technological sovereignty? What are the results of the activities of youth laboratories and what aspects of them contribute to effective youth engagement?

Russian legal science plays a major role in almost all spheres of life. It can have a tremendous impact on the quality of justice, legal regulations that are adopted, the state of domestic jurisdiction, and education. How effectively is legal science being used in business, the legislative process, and government activities? What measures need to be taken to develop domestic legal science? What prospects does it offer for young researchers and what problems could they encounter?

Medicine and healthcare today are one of the hot spots of innovative development and the use of advanced technologies in various parts of the scientific and technological sector. With the pressure from sanctions and restrictions imposed by countries that are unfriendly to Russia, the approaches to the innovative development of medicine, like many other industries, need to be rethought and modified. Medicine is also an extremely sensitive sector, whose development concerns each and every person, and ensuring its technological sovereignty – from technological parity and import independence to technological superiority and advanced development – is a top priority today. What changes need to be made to the management principles of medical science, key metrics of success, and the goal setting of the key parties involved in the innovation process to solve these problems? What tools will help in altering the approaches to the management of medical science for all parties involved in the process? What Russian innovations have already been incorporated into medicine today and what might we see tomorrow?

The modern world is undergoing fundamental changes due to the rapid development of technology and the transformation of the global economy. Continuous education and the internship-based training of young specialists are becoming integral components of a successful economic system. Cooperation between universities and corporations is a logical response to the challenges posed by the external environment, particularly given Russia’s need to achieve technological sovereignty. What practices exist for transferring knowledge between universities and corporations? What are the strategic advantages of such exchanges? How can we quickly train young specialists to meet the needs of business and transform training based on current trends?