In the bustling city of Moscow, preparations are in full swing for what promises to be a landmark event in the global scientific community. On December 19, the first international VYZOV Prize ceremony will unfold, marking a significant step in Russia’s “Decade of Science and Technology” initiative.
The VYZOV Prize, often referred to as “Russia’s Nobel Prize,” has evolved from a national accolade into an international beacon of innovation. With an impressive 594 applications from 34 countries, this year’s event showcases the universal appeal and collaborative spirit of science.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko has highlighted the event’s alignment with national goals set by President Vladimir Putin, aiming for technological leadership and increasing science funding to 2% of GDP by 2030. “The VYZOV Prize is a striking example of the synergy between the scientific community and business,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in driving technological advancement.
The ceremony will celebrate achievements across five distinct categories:
Future Category: Recognizing Leonid Fershtat for his pioneering work on multi-purpose organic functional materials.
Engineering Solution Category: Honoring Sergey Taskaev for his compact high-intensity neutron source for cancer therapy.
Breakthrough Category: Awarding Evgeny Antipov and Artem Abakumov for their revolutionary work in battery technology.
Scientist of the Year: Celebrating Valery Tuchin’s contributions to biophotonics.
Discovery Category: Acknowledging Nikos Logothetis for his foundational work in functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI).
Artem Oganov, the Chairman of the VYZOV Prize Scientific Committee, shares an ambitious vision for the award, aspiring to make it the world’s most authoritative scientific accolade. “We encourage scientists to be bold, to apply, and share their groundbreaking findings,” he states, setting the stage for future applications.
With a prize fund over $500,000, the VYZOV Prize not only celebrates past achievements but also looks forward to fostering global scientific dialogue and innovation. The anticipation builds as the world watches Moscow, ready to honor the intellect and creativity that will shape our collective future. The next call for applications, from March to May 2025, is already on the horizon, inviting scientists worldwide to participate in this prestigious recognition.
