Russia establishes Kurchatov and Alexandrov scholarships for students
In short
The Russian government has established two named scholarships in honour of Soviet scientists Igor Kurchatov and Anatoly Alexandrov. Students will receive 30,000 rubles a month and postgraduates 50,000 rubles, with the Ministry of Education and Science awarding them annually by competitive selection. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the aim is to support researchers starting their careers.
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The Russian government has established two named scholarships for students and postgraduates in honour of the scientists Igor Kurchatov and Anatoly Alexandrov, according to reports from RIA Novosti, Interfax, Vedomosti and RBC. Vedomosti reported that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the decree, citing the cabinet's website. Interfax reported that Mishustin announced the decision at a government meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Interfax reported the monthly payments will be 30,000 rubles for students and 50,000 rubles for postgraduates. Vedomosti reported the same amounts and said the scholarship is paid over 12 months. The Kurchatov scholarship covers physics and radiochemistry, while the Alexandrov scholarship covers nuclear, electrical and thermal power engineering. Vedomosti gave more detail: Kurchatov candidates are students with achievements in physics and postgraduates with merit in physics and radiochemistry; Alexandrov candidates are students with successes in electrical and thermal power engineering, nuclear energy and technology, and postgraduates in energy, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Ministry of Education and Science will award the scholarships annually by competitive selection, Interfax and Vedomosti reported. Interfax said candidates must study successfully in their specialist fields, take part in research and development, share ideas, publish articles and speak at scientific conferences. Interfax reported that more than 55 million rubles a year will be allocated from the federal budget under the state programme “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”, and that payments will start this year. [ 2 , 3 ]
Mishustin said the aim is to support researchers at the start of their careers. “We must help researchers who are just starting their path in science, so that they are prepared and motivated to carry out the tasks set in such areas,” Vedomosti quoted him as saying. Interfax quoted him saying that to achieve Russia's technological leadership in critically important areas, great attention must be paid to training personnel and to helping researchers who are only beginning their path in science. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The scholarships direct federal money to students and postgraduates in physics, radiochemistry, nuclear and power engineering, fields the government links to Russia's technological development. Announced by the cabinet, the measure is a domestic education and science workforce policy; its practical effect depends on how many awards are actually made, which the documents do not specify.
Key facts
- The Russian government established two named scholarships in honour of Igor Kurchatov and Anatoly Alexandrov for students and postgraduates. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Monthly payments are 30,000 rubles for students and 50,000 rubles for postgraduates. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Kurchatov scholarship covers physics and radiochemistry; the Alexandrov scholarship covers nuclear, electrical and thermal power engineering. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Ministry of Education and Science will award the scholarships annually through competitive selection. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Interfax reported that more than 55 million rubles a year will be allocated from the federal budget for the payments under the state programme “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”. [ 2 ]
- Candidates must study successfully, take part in research and development, publish articles and speak at scientific conferences. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the decree, and payments start this year, according to the reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Russian government established two named scholarships in honour of Igor Kurchatov and Anatoly Alexandrov for students and postgraduates. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Monthly payments are 30,000 rubles for students and 50,000 rubles for postgraduates. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Ministry of Education and Science will award the scholarships annually through competitive selection. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the decree and announced the establishment. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How many scholarships will be awarded each year and how many recipients there will be. The documents do not state the number of scholarships or recipients.
- The exact date when payments begin. Interfax says payments start “this year”, but no date is given.
- Whether the 55 million rubles annual federal funding covers both scholarships and all payments. Only Interfax mentions the figure and gives no breakdown.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti publishes a headline report that Russia has established Kurchatov and Alexandrov scholarships for students. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reports the government established the scholarships, with monthly payments of 30,000–50,000 rubles and over 55 million rubles in annual federal funding. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the decree was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and gives detailed eligibility criteria and payment terms. [ 3 ]
- RBC publishes a summary on the establishment of the scholarships. [ 4 ]