The aim of the support programme for gifted children is to deepen the study of the natural sciences and develop the potential of gifted children in their home towns. Accessible, high-quality education for talented children regardless of where they live, how remote they are from Moscow and the size of their native city, will help increase the country's pool of highly qualified specialists and provide a powerful driver for Russia's territories and regions.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR GIFTED CHILDREN ARE:

• The creation of a system of "social lifts" for gifted children from the regions where our Companies have a presence, enabling them to realize their natural potential and grow into talented specialists
• The creation of an additional source of highly qualified personnel for our companies
• Raising the level and value of education in the regions and cities where we have a presence, improving their social and educational environment

The support programme for gifted children is implemented in two steps: identifying the most capable students and creating the conditions for the fulfilment of their potential, as well as the opportunities for their professional realisation in the future (the system of "social lifts").

At the heart of the Programme's implementation is the creation of a network of educational centres for schoolchildren in the cities where our companies have a presence. Possible subject areas are mathematics, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, programming, and also perhaps - astronomy, biology, technical creativity (modelling, radio electronics and robotics, engineering, etc.). In addition to the above, a system of distance learning will be in operation such as Academic Internet Olympiads, remote project management and possibly distance learning courses.

On the basis of the educational centres, a system of "social lifts" is being created. The educational centres will identify the most capable science students, who will take part in academic Olympiads in relevant academic subjects and project competitions. The children's successes will be recorded in a single database, which will allow us to keep a record of a student's achievements and determine, depending on the level of success, the appropriate degree of support this student might need.

HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF:

• Participation in summer and winter schools - sessions devoted to project competitions and preparation for academic olympiads;
• Participation in preparation meetings for academic olympiads
• Participation in a special programme to prepare for entry into prestigious Russia-wide and international project competitions
• Bursary support for study in higher education and postgraduate study
• Internships for students in our Companies' various departments
• The possibility of obtaining a job at our companies after undergraduate or postgraduate study

A separate branch of our work is to provide support for teachers participating in the Programme. These comprise seminars (conferences) to compare and exchange experiences, improve qualifications and provide grant support as a part of the work carried out in the educational centres.

THE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE IS PRESENTED AS A DIAGRAM AND INCLUDES COLLABOROATION WITH THE "SIRIUS" EDUCATIONAL CENTRE: