YLP 2025: THE COMPETITION KICKS OFF

“The Yessenov Launch Pad Program supports undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, as well as young researchers who strive to develop their hard and soft skills – the knowledge and competencies that empower them to solve both professional and personal challenges to a high standard of quality. The growing number of applications reflects a rising interest among Kazakhstani youth in acquiring both hard and soft skills. In 2022, we received only 39 applications. A year later, the number rose to 63, then to 76, and this year, 94 applicants are competing for the grants,” shared Aigerym Sultan, the Yessenov Foundation Program Manager.

Extent of Participation
58 young women and 36 young men take part in the competition. They represent 42 educational institutions and organizations from across the country, highlighting the Program’s broad geographic reach and its appeal to students and young professionals from various regions.

HEIs
Nazarbayev University was the most represented with 15 applicants. Karaganda Medical University also demonstrated significant representation with 7 applicants, followed by L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University with 6 applicants. Next are Satbayev University with 5 and Astana Medical University with 4. The remaining 37 institutions from across the country are represented by one, two, or three applicants each.

Educational Background
The academic profile of participants is diverse. The largest group consists of 23 research fellows working at scientific laboratories and university centers. The third- and fourth-year students were the most active among undergraduates, submitting 32 applications. YLP 2025 also includes 8 doctoral students, 7 interns, and 13 master’s students. A group of 5 fifth-year undergraduate medical students rounds out the distribution.

Specialization
The participants’ fields of study are also diverse. The most popular among them are general medicine, computer science, IT and information technologies, as well as specialized medical disciplines, including neurology and surgery. Applicants for the Yessenov Foundation educational grant also pursue studies in Data Science and data analytics, mathematics, and a range of biosciences including biomedical engineering, biology, and biotechnology. Future economists and financiers are among the applicants as well. In addition to these disciplines, the competition also encompasses such fields as engineering, physics, chemistry, ecology, and architecture.

“We are pleased that the applicants have grasped the Program’s interdisciplinary nature and understand that additional education funded by the Foundation’s grant can open new doors for them. This is especially true for those working at the intersection of science, technology, and business,” commented A. Sultan on the statistical data.

What’s Next?
Yessenov Launch Pad 2025 is currently at the stage of expert evaluation of applications, which will last until October 27. Based on the outcomes, approximately 20 finalists will be selected. After undergoing interviews with the Foundation’s experts and a psychologist-coach, these candidates will compete for one of ten grants. The final stage will take place from October 29 to November 7. By November 10, the Yessenov Foundation will publish the list of winners.

The Yessenov Launch Pad Program has been part of the academician Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation’s portfolio since 2022. It provides grants for additional training in the development of flexible, supra-professional (soft) skills and/or highly specialized, professional (hard) skills. This year, the Foundation is awarding 10 grants, each worth up to 600,000 tenge.