Purpose of the joint program is to enable Georgian students the access to the world-leading scientific research center Julich to experience and conduct frontier research in fundamental and applied sciences; assist Julich in recruiting the best and the brightest students from Georgian universities and prepare Master and PhD theses for further progress of Georgian science.    The Foundation and Julich will provide 3 Georgian Master and 3 PhD-students the opportunity to carry out a Master/PhD thesis related research at Julich during their internship, and to establish long-term cooperation with researchers at Julich as well as in German universities or non-university research institutions in the following agreed research fields: 1) Mathematics; 2) Information Technologies; 3) Natural Sciences; 4) Engineering Sciences; 5) Life Science and Health. Application submission procedure: By the agreement between the Foundation and Julich of June 16, 2015, Master and PhD students of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Technical University, Ilia State University, Agricultural University of Georgia or any other Georgian university (by mutual consent of Julich and this university), the potential beneficiary of programme should submit to the Foundation electronic version of application and its hard copy, in English and in Georgian languages. Master and PhD students should submit required documentation in English and in Georgian languages as follows: Master Students: Should submit electronic version (in scanned PDF format) of annexes 3, 4, 5 and other required documentation to the address: juelich@rustaveli.org.ge no later than August 17, 2016, at 17:00.   Should submit hard copies of project documentation including annex 7 to the Foundation office no later than August 19, 2016, at 17:00. PhD Students: Should submit electronic version (in scanned PDF format) of annexes 3, 4, 6 and other required documentation to the email address: juelich@rustaveli.org.ge   no later than October 14, 2016, at 17:00.    Should submit hard copies of project documentation including annex 7 to the Foundation office no later than October 18, 2016, at 17:00.   For detailed information, see the following links: Decree of SRNSF Director General Annex 1 –  Call terms and conditions for participation Annex 2 – Agreement on Julich-Georgia Joint Programme for Master and PhD Students  (in Georgian and in English) Annex 3 – Application form - cover sheet (in Georgian and in English) Annex 4 – Tabular Curriculum Vitae (in Georgian and in English) Annex 5 – Budget form for Master Students (in Georgian and in English) Annex 6 – Budget form for PhD Students (in Georgian and in English) Annex 7 – Statement to SRNSF office   Contact Details Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation: Giorgi Khishtovani +995 322 200 220 (4322) khishtovani@rustaveli.org.ge Khatia Ananiashvili +995 322 200 220 (4133) ananiashvili@rustaveli.org.ge   Forschungszentrum Jülich: Sabine Dues Manager International Affairs Office of the Board of Directors and International Affairs Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH D-52425 Jülich, Germany s.dues@fz-juelich.de;

Experts at the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (SRNSF) have updated the incrEAST Country Report for Georgia, which is now available online as well as for download in PDF format. The report provides detailed information about the scientific landscape, research structure, STI policies and international cooperation activities of Georgia. The document is available on IncrEAST website. IncrEast (Information Exchange in Science, Technology and Innovation between the EU and Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia) was initiated by the EU FP7 funded project IncoNet EECA (International Cooperation Network for Eastern Europe/Central Asia) and is currently run by its successor projects IncoNet EaP and IncoNet CA. It provides detailed and up-to-date information about STI (Science, technology, Innovation) developments between the EU and the countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus, comprehensive information on the national science and technology  landscapes, research policies and international cooperation patterns of 12 countries in the target regions, and information about current cooperation projects, funding opportunities, potential partner organisations/ host institutions, and contact information of local experts. The platform is geared towards researchers, developers and scientists who are interested in carrying out cross-border research projects, gaining experience in cooperating with the European Union, and conducting research on the results of joint projects.   

On July 31, 2016, closing ceremony of the International Chemistry Olympiad (Icho 48) was held at Rustaveli Drama Theatre.     The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Aleksandre Jejelava and other representatives of the state.   The International Chemistry Olympiad (Icho 48) awards: 30 gold medals, 56 silver medals, 84 bronze medals and 9 certificates.   It is the third time that Georgia participates in the International Chemistry Olympiad, and this year, Saba Tavdgiridze, the 11th grader student of LEPL Tbilisi ‘Komarov’ Physics-Mathematical Boarding School N119, won the first bronze medal.

On July 26, 16:00, an info day was held at Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation Conference Hall for scientists interested in SRNSF PhD Scholarships 2016 call for proposals. The call coordinators explained to the meeting participants, detailed instructions for preparing proposal and answered their questions.

The goal of travel grants is to support Georgian scientists to participate in international activities in order to strengthen the local scientific potential by exchanging information and experience between Georgian and international scientists. Thus, to help Georgian scientists to integrate into international scientific communities. Travel Grants will enable scientists of Georgia to participate in international scientific activities worldwide. Travel Grants are funded from the Georgian state budget. Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (SRNSF) performs all of its administrative matters. Required documentation should be submitted to : tg@rustaveli.org.ge 2016 Call administration schedule: July 25 - announcement of the call (in line with the call terms); August 12 – Submitting questions online; August 22, 16:00 – Electronic registration of project proposals; August 29, 16:00 – Registration of project proposals (submitting hard copied) at SRNSF office; September 12 – Publishing call results at SRNSF website. Project proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered. For detailed information, see the following links: Government of Georgia resolution #30, dated February 20, 2008; Decree of SRNSF Director General; Decree of the President of Georgia #231, dated April 20, 2005; Call terms and conditions for participation (annex 1); Project proposal (annex 2); Budget of the project (Excel form, annex 3); CV-s (annex 4); Application form (annex 5); Detailed guidelines on project preparation and registration; Frequently asked questions.   For additional information, please address coordinators of the program: Ms. Nino Demetrashvili Phone: + (995 32) 2 200 220 (extension 4302) Email: demetrashvili@rustaveli.org.ge   Mr. Davit Baratashvili Email:   baratashvili@rustaveli.org.ge

For the first time in Georgia, with the support of the Georgian government, an International Chemistry Olympiad was opened. “Olympiad 2016” has its grand opening on 24 th of july. The Olympiad (IChO-48) will be held from the July 23, to August 1, 2016, with a total amount of 700 participants from 75 different countries. This is a grand opportunity to show the world, Georgia’s rich culture and its vast historical heritage. This is an unprecedented case in the history of the Olympics, when Georgia is hosting an event of such scale. This kind of circumstances are very rare, as countries are waiting for decades to host the event, since the host countries for the consecutive Olympiads are already known until 2021. To ensure the high level of security and smooth execution of the Olympiad, the Ministry of Education and Science is actively cooperation with the representatives of healthcare, economy, as well as with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Georgian National Tourism Administration.

From July 24 to August 1, 2016 Georgia will host the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO-48).   On July 26 and 29, practical and theoretical exams will be held at the Agricultural University of Georgia.   Apart from theoretical and practical activities, various cultural events including excursions, are scheduled under International Chemistry Olympiad including. These events are organized for popularization of Georgia and raising awareness of Georgian history and culture in other countries.    

The monograph was written during Temur Jangveladze’s and Zurab Kighuradze’s visit in America. Zurab Kighuradze’s visit was funded by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation under Internship program, Temur Jangveladze’s visit was funded under Fulbright Scholar Program of America.