Mumbai : Rosatom has announced the launch of applications for the international stage of its scientific and educational project Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026, giving Indian school students aged 14-16 an opportunity to join an Arctic expedition to the North Pole aboard the world’s largest nuclear icebreaker, 50 Let Pobedy, in August 2026.
The programme invites students from India and 22 other countries to compete through a multi-stage selection process.
The initiative has already seen participation from India. In the previous edition, 15-year-old Aayush Goyal from Kolkata was selected among nearly 4,000 applicants worldwide to join the expedition.
Reflecting on his experience, Aayush said: “My journey so far has been a rollercoaster ride — mesmerizing, exciting, and filled with interesting people. As we board the ship, I feel like I’m literally on top of the world. I expect nothing less than a Pirates of the Caribbean experience and look forward to learning, participating in, and enjoying every single moment of it.”
Participants will spend 10 days exploring the Arctic aboard the nuclear icebreaker alongside leading scientists, science communicators, and bloggers. The international selection process consists of three stages:
• Students first register on the official website and complete a science-based quiz.
• Participants then attend a series of webinars on Rosatom’s innovative solutions, including technologies used to ensure the safe development of Arctic shipping.
• Finalists submit a video presentation presenting their ideas related to the topic of the final task in the form of a video business card.
Speaking about the programme, Alexandra Yustus, Deputy Director General for Communications at RAIN Private Institution, said: “Children from 23 countries will embark on a fascinating and educational journey to the North Pole on a nuclear icebreaker. During 10 days, they will explore the Arctic on board the nuclear icebreaker with leading scientists, science communicators, and bloggers. This expedition is an opportunity not only to reach the highest point on Earth, but also to broaden horizons, make new friends, set records, and perhaps even see a polar bear.”
The Icebreaker of Knowledge project was launched with support from Rosatom to promote interest in science, technology, and nuclear innovation among young students globally. Over the past six editions, more than 400 students from different countries have participated in Arctic expeditions.
For reference:
The scientific and educational project Icebreaker of Knowledge was launched with the support of Rosatom. Its aim is to promote natural sciences and nuclear technology, to discover and support talented and gifted children, to develop their skills and to offer them career guidance. The project involves schoolchildren and students from secondary vocational education programs aged 14 to 16 years old from around the world. The project involves schoolchildren and students from vocational schools aged 14-16 from around the world. The best of them embark on a scientific and educational expedition to the North Pole aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy. Over the past six seasons, more than 400 schoolchildren and students from various countries have participated in Arctic expeditions.
Russia is the only country in the world that boasts a fleet of nuclear icebreakers operated by Rosatom’s Atomflot. Today, the fleet of Atomflot includes eight nuclear icebreaker.
Rosatom and its companies place special importance on supporting and promoting educational, scientific, and cultural initiatives. They actively participate in the establishment of core departments at Russian universities, the implementation of scholarship programs and large-scale educational projects. They are also involved in the organization of practical training and internships for students, including their future employment.
