Moldovan Education Ministry launches Young Researcher contest meant ethnic minorities' pupils

The Education and Research Ministry (MEC) is launching the republican Young Researcher Contest for pupils from ethnic minorities enrolled in general education institutions. They are invited to describe, in an essay written in their native language, Moldova’s path to independence. The best works will be awarded prizes.

The contest is held for the second time and aims to promote native languages and strengthen intercultural dialogue. This year’s subject is, 35 Years of Moldova’s Independence: Together We Create the History of Our Country. Pupils are invited to write essays in their native language reflecting on Moldova’s path to independence, the history of their family and community, the changes that have taken place in their hometown or village, the contribution of different ethnic groups to the country’s development, the preservation of their native language, traditions and cultural heritage, as well as their vision for the country’s future.

The contest will take place in two stages. During the local stage, educational institutions will evaluate the works submitted by pupils and forward the best essays, together with the participation documents, to the corresponding Ethnic Organizing Committee. During the republican stage, the students’ essays will be examined in the ethnic sections and the authors of the best works will take part in the oral examination.

Thus, the selection of essays at the level of educational institutions will take place during October 1-16. Subsequently, on October 19-27, the works will be evaluated by the juries of the Ethnic Committees. The oral examination will be held on October 28-31, during which the best works will be presented.

Each participant may compete in only one of the four ethnic sections proposed in the contest, corresponding to the languages of the ethnic minorities studied in schools in Moldova.

The results of the contest will be announced on November 10, 2026, on the official website of the MEC. The winners will receive awards at a public event to be held on February 21, 2027, International Mother Language Day.