The article presents the experience of moivating univeristy students for empirical research and scientific activity. Questioning students winning university competitions of student grants the authors have obtained valuable qualitative information. The aim of the study was to monitor the situation regarding motivation fromation for scientific activity of students in the university. Our working hypotheses were confirmed regarding research mainly of cognitive character, the perception of this work by students as part of preparation for the future professional activities of varying significance of basic motives depending on the criterion of gender and of belonging to the various basic educational programs. The questionnaire for the survey of students was adapted for further comparative large-sample research.