The final of the popular science competition "Science. Territory of Heroes" was held at the National Centre RUSSIA

---

The final of the popular science competition "Science. Territory of Heroes" for school and university students from across the country was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the advantages of a scientific career and spoke about the opportunities it offers to young people.

"The profession of a scientist in Russia is becoming increasingly in demand and prestigious. Our scientists are real superheroes! We rank fifth in the world in the number of people engaged in research and development. Almost every second scientist in Russia is under the age of 40. The competition 'Science. Territory of Heroes' is also gaining popularity. More than 90,000 school and university students from all over the country have already participated. By engaging tens of thousands of young researchers in the scientific field, we are addressing one of the key objectives of the Decade of Science and Technology, declared by President Vladimir Putin," noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

He added that the future of the country will depend on talented young people. The government will continue to support young people and create conditions to make the path in science less difficult and lead to success.

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov congratulated the winners of the competition and noted that more and more young people today want to dedicate their lives to science.

"For scientific creativity, all the necessary conditions are being developed in our universities and research organizations, including the establishment of youth laboratories, modernization of research equipment, and significant grant support. I would also like to highlight the strengthening cooperation between universities, research institutes, and the real sector of the economy," added the minister.

This year, 10 talented participants from across the country — from the Transvolga region to the Chelyabinsk region — competed in the final battle. The young researchers answered scientific questions and engaged in discussions with young scientists and renowned science communicators, including Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of the Institute of Laser and Plasma Technologies at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Vladimir Reshetov, and the project's ambassador, biologist Ilya Gomyranov.

Third place was awarded to Andrei Khokhlov from Michurinsk, while Timofei Kovalyov from Pskov took second place. The first-place winner was Alexander Valov from Klin.

They received additional admission points for Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman, as well as awards from the competition’s partner companies. The Rosatom State Corporation provided the three winners with career consultations aimed at helping them build an individual professional path. The Beeline company awarded one winner a grant of 200,000 rubles for conducting research and enhancing expertise in the chosen field. The other finalists received gift certificates and prizes from the competition’s partners and participated in an interactive tour of Sber’s office.

The winners of the competition will have the opportunity to undertake individual internships at the country's leading scientific centres: Far Eastern Federal University, the Interuniversity Student Campus of the Eurasian Scientific and Educational Centre of World Level, and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. There, they will gain unique research experience, explore the fields they plan to pursue in the future, and meet scientists and practitioners from their areas of interest.

The "Science. Territory of Heroes" competition is held annually as part of Russia’s National Projects and is included in the "Science to Win" initiative of the Decade of Science and Technology.