Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is an annual online contest run by the Association of Global Universities, a consortium of leading Russian universities, with support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rossotrudnichestvo.
Applicants compete in one of 14 subject areas on a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral track. Winners study tuition-free at a university in Russia, or join a research project there as a postdoc.
Benefits & funding
- Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral winners study within Russia’s education quota for foreign citizens, with tuition paid from the federal budget.
- A monthly stipend; the amount varies by university.
- A one-year preparatory Russian course if the chosen programme is taught only in Russian.
- Postdoctoral winners get a research position at an organizing university.
- You pay travel, accommodation, food, insurance and personal costs.
Eligibility
- Foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad.
- Bachelor’s: aged 16–23 on the registration opening date (20 Aug 2026); hold, or gain this academic year, a school qualification for university entry; no Bachelor’s, Specialist or Master’s degree.
- Master’s: aged 20–33; hold or gain a Bachelor’s this academic year; no Specialist or Master’s degree.
- Doctoral: aged 22–35; hold or gain a Specialist or Master’s degree this academic year; no completed PhD.
- Postdoctoral: aged 24–39; hold a Candidate of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences or PhD.
- No language certificate needed.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots residing abroad, who consent to the processing of their personal data are eligible to participate.” Eligibility
Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD
Age requirement
16–39 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Register online by 1 November 2026, pick a track and subject area, and rank up to six universities; there is no fee.
- 2Pass the entry test, then submit a portfolio: motivation letter, proof of education and passport are mandatory; achievements are optional.
- 3If you pass, register for the Second Stage by 16 November: a 180-minute proctored online test, or a research video for postdocs.
- 4Doctoral and Postdoctoral finalists have an online interview.
Program timeline
Registration and portfolio deadline
1 Nov 2026
13 Nov 2026
First Stage results; Second Stage registration closes 16 Nov
Postdoctoral video deadline
6 Dec 2026
Second Stage results
21 Dec 2026
Final results after interviews
26 Feb 2027