The acceptance of applications for the eighth cohort of the "Architects.rf" program has been announced.

      March 24, 2026 12:44 Society On March 23, the qualifying stage for the eighth stream of the free leadership program "Architects.rf" began. The project will once again involve 100 specialists from various regions of the country. The program is implemented by DOM.RF with the support of the Ministry of Construction and the government of Russia as part of the national project "Infrastructure for Life." Applications can be submitted until April 12 inclusive. Anton Finogenov, the director for urban environment development at DOM.RF, emphasized the symbolic nature of conducting the project in the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. According to him, bringing together experts from various competencies allows for the creation of projects that take into account the cultural, economic, and natural features of the regions. He noted that by 2030, 200 master plans need to be developed, and the success of this task largely depends on the professionalism of industry specialists. Finogenov also expressed confidence that participation in the program will be an important stage of professional growth for the finalists and will open new opportunities for the development of their hometowns. Specialists with Russian citizenship, higher education, and work experience in the field of urban and territorial development are invited to participate. Not only architects and urban planners can take part in the selection, but also representatives of related disciplines—sociologists, ecologists, geographers, cultural scientists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists, lawyers, as well as specialists in tourism and communications. In 2026, the list of fields has been expanded: educators, specialists in applied mathematics, transport planning, philologists, and archaeologists will also be able to join the program. The full list of specialties is posted on the official website in the selection rules. The procedure for the competitive selection has also changed. In addition to the application form and professional portfolio, candidates need to prepare an essay and provide recommendation letters. Participants who successfully pass the first stage will be invited for video interviews, and the final composition of the eighth stream will be determined by an expert commission. Finalists will undergo a nine-month educational program, including in-person modules, research expeditions across Russia and abroad, lectures, training sessions, meetings with experts, and work in project groups. Over eight years of the project's implementation, its graduates have visited 65 Russian cities and 21 cities in nine foreign countries. The professional interdisciplinary community of the program consists of 727 specialists. It was previously reported that the third module of the educational program "Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region" has started in the Nizhny Novgorod region. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain materials 18+