‘Basic research development in Sverdlovsk Region will be backed-up by $ 1 million in 2006,’ Head of Sverdlovsk Region Government Alexei Vorobyov announced at the press conference. ‘At the moment, state orders are being placed by the government within the framework of an open competition; the topicality is being determined by the Russian Academy of Sciences,’ he said.

‘Applied science is also getting some financial support; the amount of money given for this branch development is expected to be satisfactory,’ Mr Vorobyov said.