Lukashenko signs decree on youth support

On March 5, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree improving the procedure for rewarding gifted and talented youth, young scientists, and providing presidential grants in the fields of science, education, healthcare, culture, and youth policy implementation. The decree preserves all types of social support but introduces several innovations. In particular, a single Republican Council for Support of Gifted and Talented Youth is established, replacing four previously operating collegial bodies. The council's operating procedure has been approved, with its members including representatives from education, science, culture, the parliamentary corps, sectoral state agencies, and public associations. Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, has been appointed council chairman.

The decree establishes uniform criteria for rewarding through special funds, updates the multi-level candidate selection system, regulates the procedure for deprivation of rewards under discrediting circumstances, and restoration of rewarded individuals' rights. The procedure for forming and maintaining databases of talented youth has been revised.

An important provision is the regulation of the employer's property rights over research results created with grant support. The decree also provides for an increase in academic scholarships starting February 1, particularly, in the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, scholarships for students with grades 9-10 in technical specialties at BSTU will rise from 257 to 300 Belarusian rubles, and at BSU—from 334 to 390 rubles.

The adoption of the decree in the year marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the special funds of the President of Belarus clearly emphasizes their status and aims at further state support for the best representatives of Belarusian youth, creating favorable conditions for their studies and professional growth in the country.

Context

Since 1993, special presidential funds have been operating in Belarus, dedicated to social support for talented youth.