Strengthening State Support for Talent: Key Outcomes of the Second National Forum of Talented Youth - Новини - Фонд Президента України з підтримки освіти, науки та спорту

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Strengthening State Support for Talent: Key Outcomes of the Second National Forum of Talented Youth

On January 23, 2026, the Second National Forum of Talented Youth was held in Kyiv. The event was organized by the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports and attended by top state officials. The Forum brought together more than 600 participants, including winners of international and national academic Olympiads, the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2025, Ukrainian students with the highest National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) scores, medal winners of the 2025 Youth Olympic Games, and young researchers.

The Forum aims to provide state-level recognition of the achievements of young Ukrainians and to highlight existing opportunities for their professional fulfillment within Ukraine.

In his address to the participants, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the pivotal role of Ukrainian youth in safeguarding the country’s statehood.

“We are grateful to you for being in Ukraine – and this is the truth. First of all, our gratitude goes to the military; thanks to them, Ukraine exists. And we are also grateful to you, because you provide the energy and motivation to fight for what Ukraine stands for,”

– the President of Ukraine noted.

The state, in turn, continues to provide systematic support to Ukrainian youth by recognizing achievements and encouraging young people to fulfill their potential in Ukraine.

“We motivate the most talented, intelligent, and hardworking young people to stay in Ukraine. That is why presidential scholarships are awarded to the best students and presidential prizes to Olympiad winners. In this way, we both motivate young people and demonstrate state support for excellence,”

– said Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine, emphasized that today’s generation of young Ukrainians has been shaped by extraordinarily difficult circumstances, which have strengthened their resilience and capacity to achieve remarkable results.

“The state is not just ministries, buildings, or documents. The state is all of us – our decisions, our choices, our willingness to work and take responsibility. One loves one’s country not because it is perfect, but because it is one’s own. A state that inspires trust and respect must be developed through personal effort. To coexist with the state, we must be active agents, not passive observers,”

– she emphasized.

Olha Budnyk, Adviser and Authorized Representative of the President of Ukraine on matters related to the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports, also highlighted the key role of youth in Ukraine’s future.

“The most important thing we can give young people today is confidence in their future. We live in very challenging times, and even we often feel uncertainty about what lies ahead. But for the youth, we aim to provide the best possible opportunities – because they are the ones who will build the country in which both they and we will want to live.”

– the President’s Adviser noted.

Olha Budnyk emphasized that the Presidential Foundation currently supports talented pupils and students through awards and scholarships. Winners of international school Olympiads receive a one-time award of UAH 100,000, while winners of national Olympiads receive UAH 20,000 in recognition of their achievements. Graduates who enroll in Ukrainian universities and demonstrate high performance in national and international Olympiads are eligible for Presidential monthly scholarships ranging from UAH 5,000 to 25,000, awarded for one academic year. Additionally, applicants admitted to Ukrainian higher education institutions with NMT scores of 185 or higher in each subject receive monthly scholarships of UAH 10,000 for one year. In December 2025, new scholarships were introduced for students in grades 8–10 who participated in international school Olympiads, amounting to UAH 10,000–25,000 per month for one year.

Olha Budnyk also noted that throughout 2026, Forum nominees will participate in a series of special activities. These will include visits to the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, guided tours of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, the “White Elephant” Observatory on Mount Pip Ivan in the Chornohora range, and the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre. Participants will also take part in training sessions with Olympic boxing champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak and attend a ceremonial dinner with Count Rozumovskyi at the Baturyn Palace. These initiatives are designed to demonstrate, in a non-traditional way, that the state is genuinely invested in the development of young Ukrainians and is taking tangible steps to support them.

Speaking about the state’s responsibility to create real prospects for young people, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovyi pointed out that talent should grow in a supportive environment rather than “break through asphalt.” The Minister also emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure that the potential of young people is not wasted and highlighted the existing opportunities for them to fulfill this potential right now.

“Ukraine is a country of opportunity. It is a country where you can build a career very quickly. There is enormous demand here – for young people and for expertise in all fields. Even during the war, we continue to invest in development: this year alone, an additional UAH 6 billion from the state budget has been allocated to science. Our task is to give you the maximum number of tools and opportunities so that you can achieve your goals,”

– the Minister stated.

While awarding winners of the “Side by Side: All-Ukrainian School Leagues,” Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi highlighted the importance of developing leadership skills among Ukrainian school students.

“It is crucial that through national competitions and events, our talented youth can express themselves, build teams, and lead their peers,”

– Matvii Bidnyi noted.

Acting Chairman of the Management Board of Ukrgasbank (UGB), Rodion Morozov, also highlighted the difference in opportunities for self-fulfillment in Ukraine compared to abroad. He shared his personal choice to return to Ukraine after studying abroad, leaving behind one of the world’s major capitals.

According to Rodion Morozov, Ukraine is a country of opportunities precisely because there is no predetermined path. Here, a person can become a minister at 30 or establish a new fintech company at 25.

“You could ask artificial intelligence where the highest quality of life index is. It would probably answer Zurich, Vienna, Oslo, or other cities in stable countries. But ask yourself instead: where can you have the greatest impact on that life? Your talent and knowledge in Ukraine will allow you to be a creator. In other countries, you would more likely be a consumer of someone else’s comfort. I want you to decide for yourself the scale of your personal potential. Are you ready to be a creator? I am confident that you have both the strength and the inspiration to do so,”

– Morozov emphasized.

As part of the Forum, the Fund of the President of Ukraine also presented awards to young talents. Recognition was given in seven categories: “Science of Victory,” “Code of the Future” (STEM: mathematics, robotics, IT, and computer science), “Architects of Statehood” (law, history), “Power of the Word” (NMT, Ukrainian language and literature), “Noospheric Breakthrough” (biology, chemistry, geography), “Light of the Universe” (physics, astronomy), and “The Will of the Winners.” Based on 2025 achievements, 56 of the best laureates received awards, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally presented 40 honorary distinctions to young scientists.

The Second National Forum of Talented Youth was supported by representatives of business, international organizations, and public sector. General Partner: Ukrgasbank (UGB). Event Partner: BGV Charity Foundation. Supported by: Hepatica Foundation, Nestlé Ukraine, MHP, and the MHP–Community Charity Foundation. The Youth Council under the President of Ukraine also contributed to the event.