16,000 applications were received for participation in the Congress of Young Scientists in 2025, and following the selection by the Organizing Committee, participation of over 9,200 participants was confirmed. Thus, over four years, the number of participants has increased more than threefold. The event was attended by representatives fr om 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and over 500 foreign delegates from 100 foreign states.
"Over five years, the Congress of Young Scientists has become the country's main platform for discussing and making decisions in the sphere of science, technology, and higher education. Sociological surveys show that 72% of our citizens share the opinion that serious discoveries influencing societal development are being made in modern Russian science, and 56% believe that achieving technological leadership by Russia will affect their lives," said Anton Kobyakov.
Anton Kobyakov named the simultaneous presence of several thousand participants holding academic degrees as a fundamental distinction of the Congress of Young Scientists from other events. Of the total number of participants, over 3,000 hold a Candidate or Doctor of Sciences degree, about 2,000 of whom are under 39 years old—this represents 20% of researchers with a Candidate of Sciences degree in Russia and 30% of researchers with a Doctor of Sciences degree under 39 in Russia (according to Rosstat data).
The speaker addressed the challenges facing Russian science today and spoke about key support measures and advantages of the Russian scientific school.
Anton Kobyakov named the advantages of the Russian educational system as the system of olympiads and specialized schools, which serves as a social elevator for gifted children; strong traditions in mathematical and natural science training; powerful scientific schools; unique research infrastructure; the dedication of scientists; and the annual expansion of state support measures for science.
Among the most extensive support measures are: four Presidential Prizes in Science and Innovation and seven Government of the Russian Federation Prizes; the "Megagrants" program, providing funding of up to 15 million annually; other grant competitions; youth laboratories; and housing certificates for young scientists.
Speaking about the challenges facing Russian science, Anton Kobyakov named the need for business involvement in financing, global competition for "brains," and the need to popularize science.
"In 2025, our domestic R&D expenditure is about 1% of GDP. By 2030, it should reach 2%. These are direct budget expenditures; large technological partners should also join in. Our model of science funding differs from that of many countries. In the USA, China, and Japan, business provides the majority—up to 80%. In Russia, it provides only about 33%. We need a qualitative leap in this direction," said Anton Kobyakov.
The speaker called for minimizing bureaucracy in domestic science, simplifying the reporting system for allocated funds, and conducting systematic work to seriously increase salaries and stipends to make a scientist's income competitive.
Among important measures for developing science, Anton Kobyakov named the need to sharply enhance the commercialization of scientific developments, to create state and industrial orders for specific developments and achievements, thereby strengthening the link between education, science, and the real sector. Effective support measures could include creating joint laboratories, project-based learning from the first year of study, and lectures from industry practitioners.
Speaking about international scientific cooperation, Anton Kobyakov noted the need to attract foreign specialists to work in Russia.
"Today is a very good moment to participate in the hunt for brains. For this, we need a clear plan and a registry of specialists and industries wh ere we might require additional scientific assistance," said the speaker.
Furthermore, the Presidential Advisor called for redoubling efforts to create an attractive image of science in society through mass content: making films about scientists and discoveries, popularizing examples of successful commercialization of scientific developments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On November 26-28, 2025, the anniversary 5th Congress of Young Scientists is taking place on the Federal Territory "Sirius." This is the key annual event of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, declared by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for 2022–2031. The Congress brings together bright leaders of Russian science, representatives of leading scientific schools from different regions of Russia, scientific and educational organizations, government bodies, industrial partners, business representatives, and state corporations, and most importantly—young scientists, engineers, competition winners, grant recipients, students, and schoolchildren from Russia and other countries.
The scientific and educational events of the Congress and the demonstration of advanced science-intensive technologies contribute to popularizing the achievements of Russian science, increasing the prestige of the scientist profession, and attracting young scientists and developers to the industry. The Congress of Young Scientists and satellite events are held as part of the national project "Youth and Children."
The organizers of the Congress of Young Scientists are the Roscongress Foundation, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Coordinating Council for Youth in the Scientific and Educational Spheres of the Presidential Council for Science and Education. The operator of the Decade of Science and Technology is the "National Priorities."
Detailed information is available on the website science-congress.com.
Photo: Alexander Zholobov.
Source: Photo host of the Congress of Young Scientists