On the 15th of March ceremonial presentation of VCIOM scholarships to the beginning sociologists participating in the contest of scientific works among students of Russian State University for the Humanities, Russian State Social University, Higher School of Economics and regional institutions on the topic of ‘Problem spots of the Russian society: analysis of situation and ways of solution' was held.

There were more than 10 applicants on each of 4 scholarships.

The works were estimated by the following criteria:

• Accuracy and clarity of the topic, subject and hypothesis of the research
• Conduct of empirical study
• Professionalism in description of data-generating process
• Scientific newness, originality of the topic
• Recommendations in problem solving

The winners are:

Anna Koshkina from Yaroslavl State University with research ‘Appearance of woman as factor of social relations'.

Yelena Zhuk from Russian State University for the Humanities with research ‘Reproductive attitudes of young Muscivites in the context of the Russian population policy'.

Stanislav Smolyar from State University Higher School of Economics with research ‘Perception by the surgeons of the point and forms of informal payments in medicine (in Moscow)'.

Daria Kolomoec from Russian State Social University with research ‘Social equity: everyday practice and social notions (historical analysis)'.

Our congratulations to the scholarship holders and wishes of big success in research activity to all participants!