The “Sistema” Charitable Foundation has announced the winners of its scholarship competition, implemented with support from the MTS digital ecosystem and other leading Russian companies. The competition attracted over 20,000 participants from vocational schools, colleges, and universities across 23 regions of Russia. Following a rigorous two-stage evaluation, 60 authors of the most promising technology-driven projects—designed to address real-world challenges posed by industry partners—were selected as scholarship recipients. Among them is Yury Zakhvatkin, a student at Samara National Research University.
Yury is a third-year undergraduate in the “Automation of Technological Processes and Production” program at the Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering (IEPPE). He won in the category “Health-Preserving Technologies and Longevity” with his project on 3D-printed, affordable, lightweight, and durable prostheses for fingers and hands, featuring a unique semi-rigid attachment system. These custom-fit components adapt to hand movements and connect to a unified wristband, ensuring high comfort, functionality, and accessibility—even for individuals with limited financial resources. The prostheses aim to restore lost functionality, enable patients to return to active daily life, and minimize the psychological and physical challenges associated with amputations.
Notably, Yury’s work builds upon the “Triflex” project developed by last year’s scholarship recipient, Egor Chernov, who continues to contribute to the team’s design and prototyping efforts.
“For me, participating in this competition was the first public presentation of my product and a test of its relevance,” said Yury Zakhvatkin. “It was an opportunity not only to showcase the project but also to receive expert feedback from professionals. And, of course, winning confirmed that the project addresses a genuine need.”
This year’s competition featured nine thematic tracks, each supported by industry leaders:
1. Technologies for Comfortable Living
2. Technologies in Architecture and Construction
3. Health-Preserving Technologies and Longevity
4. Chemical and Biotechnologies
5. Technologies in Agriculture and Forestry
6. Space Industry Technologies
7. Energy and Electrical Engineering Technologies
8. Microelectronics Technologies
9. Technologies in Creative Industries and Traditional Crafts
Scholarship recipients will receive monthly stipends for five months: 10,000 rubles for students of secondary vocational education (SPO) and 25,000 rubles for university students. In addition, scholars will be invited to career development and professional orientation events organized by the Foundation and may be offered internships or employment opportunities with the competition’s partner companies.
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The “Sistema” Scholarship Competition is a flagship initiative of the “Lift to the Future” program, implemented by the Sistema Charitable Foundation as part of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.
Established in 2004, the Sistema Charitable Foundation is one of Russia’s largest charitable organizations. Its mission is to foster social and human capital in Russian regions by creating equal opportunities for individuals to realize their personal, creative, social, and professional potential.
