9TH BRICS Young Scientist Forum Announcement and Call for Abstracts

  • FOR SOUTH AFRICAN YOUNG SCIENTISTS ONLY

Date: 18 – 22 November 2024

Venue: Sochi, Russia

1. Background Information

In accordance with par. 9 of the Brasília Declaration, adopted at the 2nd STI Ministerial Meeting (Brasília, March 2015), the proposal on the creation of a BRICS Young Scientist Forum (BRICS YSF) was adopted. The participants of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum should come from the scientific community and must be under 40 years of age.

During the VII BRICS Summit in Ufa, Russia BRICS countries decided to hold the Forum annually starting from 2016. The BRICS Young Scientist Forum is to be hosted by the country currently presiding in BRICS.

The Young Scientist Forum is one of the most effective platforms for expanding the network of international contacts among young scientists, including through the exchange of experience and best practices in supporting scientific research with the participation of young scientists and postgraduate students from the BRICS countries. It helps to promote initiatives and to establish an integral system of international cooperation among the future representatives of the science and innovation systems of the BRICS countries. These activities ensure the sustainable development of the BRICS cooperation, promote the development of the leadership position of the BRICS countries in the area of science, technology and innovation.

The 9th Young Scientist Forum will also host the 7th BRICS Young Innovator Prize – a special recognition of young talented entrepreneurs and researchers, whose outstanding innovations (inventions, products, applications, and services) will make a profound impact on the socio-economic, environment and conditions of life in BRICS societies. The BRICS Young Innovator Prize is a platform for BRICS young scientists and entrepreneurs to share their best practices in innovation and venturing. This initiative was introduced in 2018 during South Africa’s BRICS chairship. Since then the BRICS Young Innovator Prize has been held 6 times successfully and it has become a significant event for BRICS youths to display their innovation talents and strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

In 2024 Russia is organizing the 9th BRICS Young Scientist Forum and the 7th BRICS Young Innovator Prize on 18-22 November in Sochi, Russia.

2. Objectives

The BRICS Young Scientist Forum aims at offering opportunities for young scientists to share home country experiences, incentives, constraints and opportunities for pursuing education, research and entrepreneurship in science, engineering and allied disciplines and to enumerate their career pathways and choices for advancement of skills and research competencies in view of STI emerging developments. The BRICS Young Scientist Forum is instrumental in cultivating a cohort of well-prepared, innovative thinkers who are poised to drive progress in their respective fields and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, science and society at large. The main objectives of the Forum encompass:

  • enhancing interaction among young people of BRICS countries to consolidate knowledge in addressing common social problems through research and innovation;
  • promoting skills and research development of young scientists of the BRICS countries under the age of 40;
  • strengthening the BRICS role in the international arena in the field of science and technology with the help of creative young people who have the potential and capacity to accelerate innovation;
  • encouraging the development of transnational research networks and partnerships that can drive innovation and advance scientific knowledge;
  • strengthening BRICS STI and youth policies, enhancing the skills of talented young people and developing entrepreneurial principles.

3. Description of Thematic Areas of the BRICS YSF 

The 9th BRICS Young Scientist Forum will comprise 4 parallel sessions on thematic areas:

  • Nature-like and Convergent Technologies as drivers for sustainable future
  • Environmental and Climate Technologies
  • Digital Humanities
  • Artificial Intelligence

Please see the detailed description of the thematic areas on the attached call for abstracts.

4. Eligibility

This call is open to early career researchers/ scientists/ engineers/ technologists/ innovators/ science journalists-educators-science, science literacy and popularizing professionals/ specialists in translational aspects of research and technology integration in society to market, up to the age of 40 years who are South Africans. Applicants should meet the following criteria to participate:

  • Be a South Africa citizen
  • Be under the age of 40
  • Must be a Doctoral student or Post-Doctoral Fellow or a young faculty member who has completed a PhD degree in the above-mentioned areas/ topics
  • Have current ongoing research in the conference themes
  • Commit to be present and active for the duration of the conference
  • Submit an abstract that will be the basis for a presentation at the conference

Note: The chosen presenters are asked to not simply focus on their research but should engage with the theme(s) and answer its requirements. Presentations that address challenges pertaining to BRICS countries and provide possible recommendations are preferable. The conference format is a Forum, which is a discussion group, where ideas related to a subject under discussion can be raised and evaluated on a (more-or-less) equal and informal basis.

Applicants who have already participated in previous editions of the BRICS Young Scientist Conclaves are NOT eligible to apply.

5. Forum Participation and Application

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) invite online submissions of abstracts for oral presentations on the themes indicated above. Further information about the forum will be circulated to successful applicants.

Access the online application at: APPLY HERE and submit your CV (2 pages maximum) to kholani@assaf.org.za by 10 September 2024.

6. Funding support

International air travel related expenses (airfare, medical insurance, per diem as per ASSAf’s rates) and ground travel in South Africa shall be met by the DSI whereas local hospitality i.e. food, accommodation and local transport in Russia will be supported by the Russian government for the entire duration of stay in Russia. We request those applying to be in possession of a valid Passport as well as obtaining a yellow fever certificate (You need to have the vaccine at least 10 days before travelling) for ease of logistics. Both documents will be obtained at own cost. This however does not mean automatic selection.

7. Call for Abstracts

Abstract Format and Submission

Abstracts should follow the following format:

  • Must not be more than 300 words (excluding Title, Author and Institution) in the online application form
  • Must be written in English
  • The title must be in boldface, capital letters (lowercase) and centred
  • The font must be Century Gothic 11 with A4 set up margins

 

Must include the following information:

  • Title, Author(s), Institution(s)
  • Name of first author should be underlined (Please do not underline co-authors)
  • Institutional affiliations for all authors
  • The superscript numbering must be in front of each initial and surname of each author
 

Where appropriate, the text may be structured using the following headings:

  • Introduction or Objectives
  • Discussion
  • Recommendations 
  • Conclusion

General Conference Information

For any further information on the forum please contact:

Mr Kholani Mbhiza    Email: kholani@assaf.org.za

Application Deadline: 10 September 2024