Is the Russian ‘ВЫЗОВ’ Prize the Nobel of the 21st Century?

The Soviet era was renowned for elevating scientists and artists, and now, Russia seeks to resurrect this tradition with a new scientific and technological prize launched in 2023, which many see as a modern-day counterpart to the Nobel Prize.

a promising new tradition

In December 2024, Russia announced the recipients of its prestigious “ВЫЗОВ” (Challenge) Prize. This award aims to recognize groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological innovations that could transform the global landscape within three to ten years. The prize is open not only to Russian citizens but also to international scientists who have made significant contributions.

the categories and winners

The 2024 awards spanned several categories:

• Engineering Solution: Sergey Taskaev from Novosibirsk’s Institute of Nuclear Physics was honored for developing a compact high-intensity neutron source that advances neutron capture therapy.
• Breakthrough: Evgeny Antipov and Artem Abakumov were recognized for their work on next-generation metal-ion batteries, pivotal for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery technology.
• Scientist of the Year: Valery Tuchin from Saratov State University received accolades for his biophotonics research, particularly optical tissue clearing, which holds potential for medical diagnostics and laser therapy.
• Promise: Leonid Fershtat was awarded for creating multifunctional organic materials with high nitrogen content, applicable in pharmaceuticals and energy materials.
• International Discovery: Nikos K. Logothetis was acknowledged for his foundational work on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), now widely used in clinical research.

a nod to russian scientific legacy

The “ВЫЗОВ” Prize joins a tradition of Russian scientific accolades like the Pomeranchuk Prize in theoretical physics and the Bogoliubov Prize for young scientists. These awards underscore Russia’s historical commitment to science, celebrating figures such as Lev Landau or Andre Geim. The “ВЫЗОВ” aims at highlighting discoveries that promise swift application in science and technology.

a modernized nobel?

This prize stands out by focusing on early-career scientists, unlike the Nobel Prizes often awarded later in researchers’ careers. It allows self-nominations alongside traditional peer nominations, offering flexibility not seen with the Nobels. Moreover, it embraces interdisciplinary achievements beyond conventional categories.

a global outlook

Initially limited to Russian nationals, the “ВЫЗОВ” has expanded internationally since 2024. According to sources within the foundation, they seek groundbreaking results irrespective of nationality or political stance—purely based on scientific merit.

a bridge between east and west

The award fosters continued collaboration between Eastern and Western scientific communities. Even during historically tense periods like the Cold War, exchanges persisted between notable figures such as Paul Dirac with Igor Tamm or Kip Thorne with Yakov Zeldovich. In recent years, selected scientists have excelled in fields like pharmacology for brain diseases and quantum computing platforms.

• In 2023’s “Scientist of the Year,” Raul Gainetdinov from Saint Petersburg State University was honored for his research on dopamine systems relevant to brain diseases.
• The “Engineering Solution” category highlighted Hamlet Khodzhibagiyan’s superconducting magnet technology from Dubna’s Joint Institute of Nuclear Research.
• Ilya Semerikov of Moscow’s Lebedev Physical Institute received recognition in “Promise” for developing a trapped-ion quantum processor.

This evolution towards an international orientation reflects a broader vision where brilliant minds across borders contribute to humanity’s progress.