The Russian Science Foundation (RSF) announced the results of two regional competitions: projects for separate research groups and for small research groups. Projects for small research groups will be supported by two-year grants of up to 1.5 million rubles per year. Projects for separate research groups will receive three-year grants of 4 to 7 million rubles per year. The grants will be made up of funds from the foundation and from the region on parity basis (50% + 50%).

Projects by staff of KarRC RAS institutes supported under RSF grant competition 2023

For separate research groups (4–10 persons):

- “Assessment of the current state of the water ecosystem in Lake Onego Kizhi Skerries (in the buffer zone of the Kizhi Pogost World Heritage Site) based on hydrochemical and hydrobiological indices in the situation of long-term anthropogenic pressure”, Leader Anastasiia Sidorova, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Researcher, Hydrobiology Laboratory, Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS.

- “Assessment of the current state of natural foci of transmissible diseases of humans and animals in boreal ecosystems of Russia (the Republic of Karelia case study)”, Leader Sergey Bugmyrin, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Head of Laboratory for Plant and Animal Parasitology, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.


For small research groups (2–4 persons):

- “Research of natural seismicity in Karelia”, Leader Irina Zueva, Junior Researcher, Geophysics Laboratory, Institute of Geology KarRC RAS.

- “Content of essential and toxic elements in tissues of ungulate game species in Karelia and assessment of health risks for humans consuming their meat and offal”, Leader Svetlana Kalinina, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Head of Laboratory for Ecological Physiology of Animals, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.

- “Unification of avifauna monitoring studies in Karelia as a way to track and control trends in bird numbers and species composition”, Leader Sergey Simonov, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Senior Researcher, Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.

- “Agrobiological efficiency of launching agricultural production of northern medicinal plants”, Leader Maria Yurkevich, Cand. Sci. (Agr.), Head of Laboratory for Soil Ecology and Geography, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.

- “Parasitological monitoring of northern freshwater ecosystems by the e-DNA method”, Leader Aleksey Parshukov, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory for Plant and Animal Parasitology, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.

- “Epitranscriptome modifications in the development of SARS-COV-2 persistence in patients after COVID-19: involvement of N6-adenosin-methyltransferases from host’s cells”, Leader Olga Balan, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Senior Researcher, Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Biology KarRC RAS.

The key objective of RSF regional competitions is to involve and use the scientific potential of Russian regions to solve problems in their social and economic development. Prior to the competitions, the regions themselves determined the research and development areas in which studies are required.

We congratulate the winners and wish them productive research!

Photo by RSF Press Office