Awards, competitions, and an international science call at the ASM festival
Researchers from the Republic of Moldova will showcase their most significant achievements, discoveries, and projects during the 5th edition of the Research and Innovation Festival, which will take place on November 10 at the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM). This year’s event will feature the presentation of academic awards, competitions for the most original exhibition stands, scientific films, and posters, as well as the unveiling of results from an international call for proposals to support science.
Ion Tighineanu, President of the Academy of Sciences, says that bringing research closer to society, fostering young talent, and creating professional opportunities within the country are essential for the scientific development of the Republic of Moldova.
Titled "Science for Peace and Development: Creativity, Experience, Perspectives", this year’s edition holds special significance, as it takes place against the backdrop of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the first academic-style research institutes.
According to the President of the Academy of Sciences, the festival has become a tradition; it aims to bring research findings closer to the public in an accessible, engaging way.
"The main goal of the event is to bring research closer to people, to society," stated Ion Tighineanu during the program "Zi de Zi" on Radio Moldova.
Awards for researchers and science promotion contests
The festival program will begin with the presentation of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova awards, recognising outstanding contributions across various fields. These include the "Nicolae Corlăteanu" Award for Romanian language and literature, the "Alexandru Moșanu" Award for history and philosophy, the "Paul Bran" Award for social and economic sciences, the "Constantin Stere" Award for law and political science, and the "Maria Bieșu" Award for the study of the arts. The festival will also present the "Alexei Șimașchevici" Award—intended for young researchers—and the "Nicolae Dabija" Award—for promoting science in the mass media. The program will also include the conferral of distinctions upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to supporting scientific research.
Another component of the festival consists of competitions focused on presenting and popularizing research findings. Participants will compete for titles such as the most original exhibition stand showcasing scientific achievements, the most original video promoting science, and the most relevant poster presenting significant scientific results.
The academician highlighted the involvement of young people in such activities, noting that the Academy periodically organizes summer and autumn schools designed to provide them with learning opportunities and the chance to interact with researchers from both within the country and abroad. The most recent initiative of this kind was a Moldovan-Chinese autumn school.
International call for the support of science
This year’s edition also presents the outcomes of an international call for the support of science. The Academy of Sciences of Moldova developed this initiative in collaboration with Professor Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council, during his visit to the Republic of Moldova.
The call, known as the "Chisinau Call" has been disseminated internationally and aims to foster support for research and strengthen public trust in science. "The goal of our call is to support science and to work with society to foster trust in science," explained Ion Tighineanu.
In his view, the rapid development of technologies necessitates an increasingly active involvement from the scientific community—including in the assessment of opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence. Researchers must help identify ways to use new technologies responsibly, ensuring that their benefits are harnessed while their risks are limited.
Young researchers: essential to the future of science
Retaining young talent in the Republic of Moldova and encouraging them to pursue careers in research is one of the major challenges facing the scientific community. Ion Tighineanu emphasized that the Academy strives to engage students and young people in research activities early on—through laboratory visits, specialized workshops, and meetings with prominent figures from the world of science.
According to the academician, the presence of internationally renowned researchers—including Nobel laureates—can demonstrate to young people that science offers significant opportunities for professional development.
"What we currently know is but a drop in the ocean. There are so many matters that still need to be studied in depth," stated the President of the Academy of Sciences, referring to the vast array of fields still awaiting exploration. He pointed out that technological progress cannot be sustained without continuous investment in knowledge and research. At the same time, to encourage young people to build a career in the Republic of Moldova, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for work and development.
In this regard, international collaborations and participation in joint projects with European Union member states and overseas partners can help foster a scientific community that is connected to international standards and opportunities. Moldovan researchers can work within the country while simultaneously participating in internships and projects abroad, thereby gaining experience and developing professional partnerships.
"The main thing is to identify those sharp minds—those talented, curious young people who wish to build a career—and to support them," noted Ion Tighineanu.
The 5th edition of the Research and Innovation Festival thus aims to highlight not only the results achieved in laboratories but also the role of research in societal development, the importance of dialogue between scientists and the public, and the need to support new generations of researchers.
The event will take place on November 10, 2026, at the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.
