Join the 5th Research and Innovation Festival in Chișinău

The landmark jubilee event on November 10 will showcase academic excellence, international initiatives including the “Chişinău Appeal,” and strategic frameworks for AI governance.

CHIȘINĂU — October 31, 2026 — Under the overarching theme “Science for Peace and Development: Creativity, Experience, Perspectives,” the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) will host the 5th edition of the Research and Innovation Festival on November 10, 2026, in the Azure Hall. This year’s milestone event holds profound significance, marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of the ASM and 80 years since the establishment of the nation’s first academic research institutes.

In an interview aired on Radio Moldova’s “Zi de Zi” program, ASM President Academician Ion Tighineanu emphasized that the primary mission of the festival is to bridge the gap between complex research and society, nurture young scientific talent, and reinforce public trust in science.

A man in a blue suit speaks at a podium during a conference, with an audience seated in blue chairs in the background.

Honoring Academic Excellence and Public Engagement

The festival will open with the presentation of the prestigious Academy of Sciences Annual Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions across key disciplines:

“Nicolae Corlăteanu” Award (Romanian Language and Literature)
“Alexandru Moșanu” Award (History and Philosophy)
“Paul Bran” Award (Social and Economic Sciences)
“Constantin Stere” Award (Law and Political Sciences)
“Maria Bieșu” Award (Arts and Cultural Studies)

Special honors will also celebrate emerging researchers through the “Alexei Șimașchevici” Award, while the “Nicolae Dabija” Award will acknowledge excellence in science communication and media representation. Interactive competitions will further engage the scientific community, featuring awards for the most original exhibition stand, best research poster, and most innovative science communication video.

Global Outreach: The “Chișinău Appeal” and AI Ethics

A cornerstone of the 2026 edition is the presentation of outcomes from the “Chișinău Appeal,” a major international initiative jointly drafted by the ASM and Prof. Peter Gluckman, former President of the International Science Council (ISC). The global campaign advocates for sustained multilateral research support and enhanced societal engagement with evidence-based science.

Two men standing in front of a podium, one presenting a certificate to the other during a formal event, with an audience in the background.

Addressing the exponential leap in technological innovation, Acad. Ion Tighineanu highlighted the imperative role of researchers in assessing both the transformative potential and the systemic risks of Artificial Intelligence. He called for proactive scientific governance to ensure AI technologies are deployed ethically and responsibly.

Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists

To mitigate brain drain and foster a sustainable research ecosystem, the ASM continues to facilitate international summer and autumn schools—including a recent joint Moldovan-Chinese autumn school—alongside laboratory immersions and high-level mentorship.

“What we know is merely a drop in the ocean. Our core objective is to identify brilliant, curious young minds and empower them to build successful research careers locally, supported by seamless integration into joint projects with European Union and overseas institutions,” stated the ASM President.

The 5th Research and Innovation Festival will take place on November 10, 2026, at the Academy of Sciences of Moldova in Chișinău.

Published in Partnership with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) and News247WorldPress (UK), Official Global Media Partner of ASM