The first stage of the Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) competition showed significant interest from higher educational institutions. This was reported by the director of the ORP KIVO, Rasul Abazbek uulu, at a press conference at the "Kabar" agency. He noted that in the summer round of 2025, 38 state and private universities of the country participated. The selection was conducted in two stages: out of 196 submitted concepts, 59 best applications from 20 universities were chosen for further evaluation.
The applications were distributed across seven key areas:
10 projects concerned energy and engineering-technology systems;
11 projects were dedicated to biomedical and biotechnological sciences;
8 projects covered biological and eco-medical sciences;
10 projects related to agricultural and food sciences;
6 projects were connected with education and inclusion;
5 projects concerned socio-economic innovations;
9 projects were related to information and communication technologies and cybersecurity.
“We are launching the second round of the competition based on the experience of the first. We have strengthened methodological support for applicants, clarified procedures, expanded explanatory work, and organized informational meetings. Our goal is to ensure maximum transparency and competitiveness of the process, as well as to improve the quality of the submitted projects. We will actively engage with the academic community of each university,” added Rasul Abazbek uulu.
The head of the ORP KIVO also reminded that the competition aims to support innovative academic and research initiatives, develop the scientific potential of universities, and strengthen ties between universities and economic sectors. Priority areas include the modernization of educational programs, the implementation of interdisciplinary approaches, the improvement of the educational environment and laboratory infrastructure, as well as the integration of information-communication and digital technologies into the educational process.
The maximum grant amount is 200,000 US dollars with a project implementation period of up to 36 months. The total fund of the AIF is 4 million US dollars.
It is important to note that expenses for construction, salaries of teachers, student scholarships, and the purchase of vehicles are not allowed. Any expenses not related to the project are also strictly prohibited.
The KIVO project is implemented with the support of the government of Kyrgyzstan and is financed by the World Bank.
