Russia is aiming to entice foreign researchers with grants of RUB 150 million ($5 million) each, but some critics believe bureaucratic obstacles may hinder the effort. The Education and Science Ministry began offering the grants in April 2010 to try to lure scientists back to Russia after the 1990s, when insufficient salaries and research support caused thousands of scientists and students to leave the country. The program awarded 40 grants last year and another 39 this September. The grants stipulate that recipients must open a lab or research center in Russia that can be used by other scientists at the end of the two-year time frame, must spend a minimum of four months a year in Russia and must submit paperwork to the government regarding all grant money used. The lengthy process to buy equipment and materials in Russia often becomes the job of researchers because of a lack of administrative assistance. The competition for the awards was announced just two months before recipients were selected. Under the program, the researcher’s resident college owns all rights to any resulting discoveries.

Source: The Moscow Times