WINNERS OF THE UPGRADE SCHOLARSHIPS by BOG'ART FOUNDATION
The Bog’Art Foundation has successfully concluded the first edition of the Upgrade scholarship program, designed to discover and support young people with outstanding potential, exceptional academic results, and professional development plans in Romania—individuals capable of actively contributing to the progress of society.
Out of 231 applications received from high school and university students across the country, 14 finalists were selected. Following the interview stage, four UPGRADE scholarships of €2,000 each were awarded, along with two special mentions of €1,000 each.
Bucur-Sabău Maria-Mirabela – born in Reghin, currently a student at the Faculty of Medical Engineering in Bucharest.
Maria develops biomedical devices, sensors, and modern technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and research. She plans to pursue a master’s degree focused on biomedical sciences and aims to build projects—and, in the long term, a company—in Romania that develops cutting-edge biomedical technologies.
Chiricheș Florentina-Brigita – chose to study Psychology at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași out of love for people and a deep desire to contribute to mental health and to support vulnerable individuals.
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Assessment, Counseling, and Couple and Family Psychotherapyand is training to become a systemic couple and family psychotherapist. She plans to continue specializing in psychotherapy and to develop psychological support projects—particularly an ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) group dedicated to young people and adults who grew up in families affected by alcoholism, as she did herself.
Pora Ana-Maria – born in Broșteni, is a student at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, majoring in Diagnosis and Intervention for People with Special Needs, and a graduate of the Special Psychopedagogy bachelor’s program.
She aims to specialize in systemic couple and family therapy and obtain accreditations in special education. Her goal is to refine her methods and techniques for intervention with people with special needs and to become their voice in the public sphere. Through training and research, she wants to show the world that people with disabilities are not defined by what they cannot do, but by all the wonderful things they can achieve.
Saragea Paula-Denisa – a PhD student in neuroscience/neurobiology, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.
Her research explores the therapeutic potential of selected plant extracts with multitarget actions in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. She conducts independent experiments and laboratory tests, has strong academic results, actively participates in scientific conferences, and is involved in educational and volunteer projects at the Iași Regional Oncology Institute laboratories and the Center for Screening and Diagnosis of Oncological Diseases.
Winners of the UPGRADE Mentions by Bog’Art Foundation, 2025 Edition
Stoian Alexandru-Dragoș – pianist, student at the National University of Music Bucharest.
An award-winner or finalist in international competitions, he has performed with the Sibiu State Philharmonic, the UNMB Orchestra, and the “Ion Dumitrescu” Philharmonic in Râmnicu Vâlcea. The Upgrade scholarship will help him refurbish his piano, improving his artistic performance and allowing him to focus more on his professional and creative development.
Nașca Tudor – graduated from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, and is now in his first year of a master’s program.
He developed a project that integrates two technologies into an electric boiler: the use of a carbon fiber conductor for heating and phase-change materials for thermal energy storage. He aims to expand this research by experimenting with different constructions and configurations of the two technologies to identify the most energy-efficient version.
The award ceremony for the six winners took place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the headquarters of the Bog’Art Foundation in Bucharest.
ABOUT THE UPGRADE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
“Through the Upgrade by Bog’Art Foundation scholarship program, we set out to create a merit-based center of excellence made up of young people with remarkable results—to build a new generation of leaders so that our country can have a bright future.
We hope these scholarships and special mentions will help them take the first steps toward achieving their goals, serving as a launch pad for any initiative—whether pursuing advanced studies, publishing research, or starting their own projects.
They know best what they need to do, which is why they are the winners of the Upgrade scholarships.
I trust they will choose an extraordinary path, and we stand by them through these Upgrade scholarships, helping them build a successful professional, academic, or entrepreneurial journey and follow their dreams.”
— Bogdan Doicescu, Founding Member, Bog’Art Foundation
UPGRADE is an annual scholarship program initiated by the Bog’Art Foundation, created to support young people with extraordinary potential, aged between 16 and 30, who are enrolled in an educational institution (high school, university, postgraduate, or PhD studies), a vocational school, a trade school, or an advanced sports training program.
The goal is to invest in the next generation of professionals, innovators, and leaders capable of actively contributing to the development of Romanian society, regardless of their field of activity.
UPGRADE CALENDAR 2025
Aug 25 – Sept 30 – Application period
October 3 – Announcement of the 10 finalists
October 6–8 – Finalists’ interviews (via video call)
October 10 – Announcement of the winners
October 14 – Scholarship award ceremony
ABOUT
BOG’ART FOUNDATION
The Bog’Art Foundation is committed to supporting talented young people and initiatives that contribute to the development of a vibrant cultural and artistic society.
By allocating funds and resources to institutions, organizations, and associations that carry out artistic and cultural activities—or through our own initiatives in these fields—as well as by offering scholarships and specialized support, we aim to assist individuals with exceptional abilities and to promote essential values for the future.
We are also involved in fundraising efforts to support educational projects, health promotion, and environmental protection, with the main goal of reflecting the values of our foundation within society.
The first Bog’Art Foundation proiect – NEW WAVE Art Prize.
Ștefania Iakab, a student at the Faculty of Arts and Design within the West University of Timișoara, won the NEW WAVE Art Prize, the competition launched by the Bog’Art Foundation with the aim of discovering and supporting young talents in the field of art.
