The Russian Academy of Education (RAO) is currently accepting applications until September 22 for its landmark 10th Competition for Young Scientists in Educational Sciences. Successful participants will be awarded the prestigious RAO medal “To Young Scientists for Success in Science” and will also gain the unique opportunity to present their research findings at the 5th Congress of Young Scientists, to be held in Sirius.
This esteemed competition, which first launched in 2016, is dedicated to discovering and nurturing talented researchers across diverse educational disciplines, including pedagogy, psychology, and developmental physiology. Since 2022, the initiative has been an integral part of the “Science to Win” program, a key component of Russia`s Decade of Science and Technology, and receives support from the “Social Navigator” project.
Organizers have noted a significant surge in interest from the scientific community. In 2024, the volume of applications witnessed a remarkable 47% increase, with the geographic representation of participants expanding considerably from 8 to 27 regions across the country. Last season, the most sought-after categories were those focused on science popularization, experimental pedagogy, and the foundational theories and methodologies of pedagogy.
The call for submissions is open to researchers from all corners of Russia, including scientific staff, university lecturers, postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates, provided they are 35 years old or younger. For the 2025 iteration of the competition, seven distinct nominations are available, covering a broad spectrum of achievements. These include advancements in the theory and methodology of pedagogy and psychology, innovative experimental and interdisciplinary studies, contributions to education and mentorship, and efforts in science communication.
The competition is structured into two main phases. The initial remote selection process will continue until September 30. This will be followed by the in-person final, featuring public defenses of projects, scheduled to take place from October 1st to 10th at the Russian Academy of Education. An expert council, which includes RAO President and Academician Olga Vasilyeva, will meticulously evaluate the participants` presentations.
The distinguished laureates of the competition will receive the “To Young Scientists for Success in Science” medals, accompanied by a monetary prize. In addition, a special award will be presented by the RAO Board of Trustees, alongside a distinct prize dedicated to recognizing outstanding efforts in promoting research findings through media channels.
Ultimately, all laureates will also be granted the valuable opportunity to attend and participate in the 5th Congress of Young Scientists, which is set to convene from November 26-28 within the federal territory of Sirius.
Published: September 8, 2025
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth