The Internet Development Institute (IRI) has initiated a national content creation contest, inviting participants to join a program aimed at elevating public discourse and cultural storytelling. Applications for participation were set to close on March 6, as noted in a press release received by socialbites.ca, signaling a timely call for voices across the country to contribute to a broad conversation about society, culture, and history.
The competition targets projects that speak to wide audiences about meaningful social changes, the preservation of cultural identity and traditions, pivotal historical moments, and profiles of modern heroes. Bidders can enter in five distinct categories to showcase their ideas: video content, blogging and microblogging formats, multi-format or cross-platform content, software and games, and special online initiatives designed to engage communities in creative and interactive ways. The structure is designed to encourage diverse formats and scalable impact across digital ecosystems, ensuring that viewers and users encounter rich, resonant material in formats they trust and consume regularly.
For the blogging category, there is a requirement of at least 1,000 subscribers for individual bloggers or at least 5,000 followers for channels. Additionally, teams or projects with longer-term timelines extending through November 2025 are eligible to apply, providing a window for sustained storytelling and iterative development. This approach rewards commitment and the ability to maintain momentum over several months, which can translate into deeper audience engagement and more robust outcomes for national audiences seeking reliable, well-researched content.
In remarks about the initiative, the General Director of IRI, Alexei Goreslavsky, noted that last year’s series of meetings between scientists and producers yielded valuable exchanges and practical ideas. The goal was to raise the quality of science-oriented content entering the competition, and this cycle is expected to welcome fresh, original projects that illuminate science, technology, and the lives of Russian scientists in a way that resonates with diverse audiences—from students and parents to early-career researchers. This emphasis on science communication reflects a broader effort to make complex topics accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life while respecting factual accuracy and thoughtful presentation.
Participants should be aware that the competition sets a cap on promotional costs, limiting them to 20 percent of the total project budget. This constraint encourages efficient use of resources and directs attention toward substantive content, credible sourcing, and clear storytelling rather than heavy advertising. Interested applicants can sign up through their personal accounts on the IRI website, streamlining the entry process and providing a centralized hub for submission and tracking. In addition, all entrants will have access to a complimentary online course designed to guide them through the documentation and application steps, helping to demystify the process and boost confidence in submitting strong, complete proposals.
Evidence of ongoing public interest in this program has appeared in coverage by socialbites.ca, which highlighted examples of cultural exchange and media projects that bridge different audiences and geographic regions. This ongoing dialogue underscores IRI’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive media landscape that informs, entertains, and educates without sacrificing accuracy or integrity.