The Mendeleev Olympiad is an international flagship project of the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Melnichenko Foundation aimed at supporting and developing talented young people.
The International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad occupies a unique position among other top-level subject Olympiads for secondary school students. Chemists turned out to be the only community within natural sciences who managed to retain the traditions of the former All-Union Olympiad after the breakdown of the USSR. As a result, two new competitions are being held annually: the All-Russian and International Mendeleev Olympiads.
Since 2020, the Melnichenko Foundation has awarded the Academician Valery Lunin Prize, established in honor of the founder of the Mendeleev Olympiad, to the absolute winner of the IMO. In 2024, for the first time, the number of the awarded Prizes was increased to three. 60th Anniversary Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad will be held at Lomonosov Moscow State University on April, 15-23, 2026.
You can find details about the event here: https://mendeleevolympiad.org/imcho60-eng
Melnichenko Foundation Launches Eco-Marathon for Environmental Knowledge Day
The Melnichenko Foundation has announced the launch of the eco-marathon “Make Green Your Thing” (#MakeGreenYourThing), dedicated to Environmental Knowledge Day.
The project will take place as a nationwide social media flash mob.
Its goal is to foster environmental awareness and promote everyday practices that help reduce environmental impact. Participants are invited to share their eco-friendly habits – such as waste sorting, reducing single-use plastics, and conserving resources – and pass the initiative on to others.The campaign continues the Foundation’s systematic work in the environmental agenda and further develops its cooperation with the “Ecology Is Everyone’s Business” award established by Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources. In 2026, the Melnichenko Foundation became a partner of the award and will finance selected initiatives across 18 regions where it operates. Participants will post videos on social media describing their environmental habits. Prize draws will also be held, with winners selected at random among those who meet the participation criteria, which will be published on the Foundation’s social media channels.
Tatiana Zhuravleva, General Director of the Melnichenko Foundation, commented:
“We believe that environmental responsibility begins with simple everyday choices. To foster this culture, the Foundation uses a range of approaches: it supports environmental initiatives in the regions, promotes volunteer engagement, and actively involves school and university students in such projects. For example, our joint project with the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University—the 60th International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad—will be held this year as a carbon-neutral event. It is important that environmental habits are integrated not only into daily life but also become an essential part of professional thinking”.
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