Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026

Funding Details

Tuition fees are fully covered by the Government of the Russian Federation for eligible Open Doors winners and runners-up in the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral (PhD) tracks. The scholarship also provides a monthly stipend, with the amount varying by university. Applicants who select eligible Russian-language degree programs may also be considered for additional government grant support covering travel expenses, medical insurance, accommodation costs, and an additional monthly payment. Additional grant support is subject to eligibility and final approval and is not guaranteed. Postdoctoral track winners are offered research positions at participating Russian universities.

Academic Requirements

Bachelor’s Track: Applicants must have completed, or be completing during the relevant academic year, an educational qualification that makes them eligible for admission to higher education in their country of study. Applicants must not already hold a Bachelor’s, Specialist, or Master’s degree. Master’s Track: Applicants must hold, or be completing, an educational qualification corresponding to at least a Bachelor’s degree and must not already hold a Specialist or Master’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) Track: Applicants must hold, or be completing, a Specialist or Master’s degree and must not have completed a doctoral (PhD) degree program. Postdoctoral Track: Applicants must hold a PhD, Candidate of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences, or equivalent doctoral degree.

Language Requirements

The official languages of the Open Doors competition are English and Russian. Applicants select their language of participation during registration. Admission to a chosen university/program may require proof of proficiency in the selected language of instruction.

Age Requirements

Bachelor’s: 16–23 years Master’s: 20–33 years Doctoral (PhD): 22–35 years Postdoctoral: 24–39 years

Other Eligibility Notes

Applicants must be foreign citizens or stateless persons, including compatriots residing abroad, and must meet the age and academic requirements of their selected track. Applicants may participate only once during the competition year and may maintain only one Open Doors account. Supporting documents must be in Russian or English; documents issued in another language must be accompanied by a translation into the selected language of participation. Applicants must provide accurate personal information and upload the required identification and supporting documents within the official deadlines.

Application Method

Official Website

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted online through the official Open Doors platform. Applicants must create an account and complete the registration process, select the appropriate competition track and subject area, and provide the required personal and academic information. During the first stage, applicants complete the required entry test, prepare their portfolio, submit a motivation letter, and upload supporting documents demonstrating their academic and other relevant achievements. Applicants who successfully qualify for subsequent stages must complete the required assessment tasks according to the official Open Doors schedule. Participants should regularly check their personal account on the Open Doors platform for results, instructions, deadlines, and further requirements. All information and documents must be submitted within the official deadlines. Applicants should carefully review the requirements for their selected track before submitting their application.

Selection Process

Selection is conducted through a competitive multi-stage process. In the first stage, participants complete the required entry test and submit an online portfolio, including a motivation letter and supporting evidence of academic and other relevant achievements. Applications and portfolios are evaluated according to the official criteria of the selected subject area. Participants who successfully qualify proceed to the subsequent competition stage, where they complete assessment tasks designed to evaluate their academic knowledge and abilities in the selected field. For the doctoral and postdoctoral tracks, additional stages may include the selection of prospective research supervisors and interviews. Final results are determined according to participants' performance and rankings under the official Open Doors competition rules. Winners and runners-up receive the benefits applicable to their competition track, subject to meeting all admission and document requirements.

Important Notes

The Open Doors Russian Scholarship is a highly competitive international academic competition. Applicants must carefully follow the requirements and deadlines for their selected competition track. Participation in Open Doors is free of charge. Applicants should submit applications only through the official Open Doors platform and should not pay third parties claiming to guarantee selection. Winners and runners-up must still satisfy the admission, document verification, and other requirements of the Russian university where they intend to study. The scholarship generally provides tuition-free study under the applicable Open Doors track. Applicants should not assume that all living expenses, accommodation, travel, visa costs, medical insurance, or other personal expenses are covered unless explicitly stated by the program or admitting university. Competition stages, requirements, available universities, fields of study, and deadlines may vary by track and competition year. Applicants should always verify the latest information on the official Open Doors website before applying. Documents submitted in languages other than Russian or English must be accompanied by the required translation according to the official competition rules.