MOSCOW, June 21 (RIA Novosti) - The state supporting measures and sponsorship of Russian businessmen help to revival Russian science, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Osipov told RIA Novosti on Monday commenting on Vladimir Putin's decree "On the improvement of the system of state prizes in the spheres of science and technology, education and culture." The decree introduces six prizes instead of the existing awards in these spheres, three in the sphere of science and technology and three - in the sphere of literature and art. Each prize is worth 5 million rubles (over $170,000).

According to Yuri Osipov, various state grants and awards, especially, new state prizes in science and technology, raise scientists' prestige in Russia. "This prize is a great stimulus," he said. There are few prizes and many talented people, therefore, it is important to raise the prestige of scientific activities in Russia, academician Osipov stressed.

The President of the Russian Academy of Sciences pointed out the necessity to solve a number of social problems to boost further revival of Russian science. In his words, "this is the only way to attract young people to research work."

"Much has been recently done in this sphere," in particular, the new "Bases of Russia's scientific-technical development," Yuri Osipov said. Russian businessmen are more interested in our scientific achievements, ordering new projects and establishing varied grants.

Yuri Osipov is a member of the Russian President's council for science and high technologies. Now this council is charged with nominating prize laureates.