Russian Presidential Advisor Calls for BRICS-Based Alternative to Nobel Prize

Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the Russian president, has called for the creation of a BRICS-based alternative to the Nobel Prize, as well as new scientific citation criteria, to counter what he describes as discredited foreign scientific data systems. 

"The time has come when we, together with our partners, need to think about a worthy alternative to the Nobel Prize. Perhaps this is within the BRICS framework, perhaps on the basis of non-governmental forms of cooperation, but this must definitely be done," he said.

Kobyakov, who is also the head of the interdepartmental working group on the preparation and holding of the Congress of Young Scientists, highlighted practices such as paying intermediaries for co-authorship with prominent researchers, which he claimed distort scientific rankings. 

He criticised the Hirsch index for its citation focus, contending that it is inappropriate for humanitarian research and is manipulated by Western intelligence agencies.

The Russian presidential advisor advocated for BRICS nations to develop independent citation criteria and databases to offer a more credible and equitable system for recognising scientific achievements.