TheOpen Doors: Russian Scholarship Projectis one of the most prominent scholarships aimed at international students who wish to pursue their higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or even Postdoctoral studies) in Russia completely free of charge. This initiative provides an opportunity to enroll in one of the top Russian universities, with full tuition fee exemption and extensive opportunities for scientific research and academic development.
Since its launch in 2017, the scholarship has attracted more than146,000 participants from 185 countriesand has offered over6,300 international studentsthe chance to win a fully funded study place.
Scholarship Details
- Program type:Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral studies.
- Participating universities:24 leading Russian universities.
- Language of study:English or Russian.
- Application process:Fully online and free of charge.
- Fields of study:14 diverse areas ranging from natural sciences to humanities.
- Degree recognition:Russian degrees are recognized in many countries, especially in Asia, Africa, BRICS, and CIS countries.
Available Fields of Study
The Open Doors program covers a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Applied Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Business and Management
- Chemistry and Materials Science
- Clinical Medicine and Public Health
- Computer and Data Science
- Earth and Environmental Sciences for Sustainability
- Economics and Econometrics
- Education and Psychology
- Engineering and Technology
- Physical Sciences and Technology
- Politics and International Studies
- Russian Language and Culture
- Urbanism and Civil Engineering
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to:
- International students of all nationalities.
- Applicants wishing to pursueBachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Postdoctoral studiesat one of the participating Russian universities.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition fee exemption.
- Direct admission to the university through a simplified process.
- Advanced research opportunities within scientific projects under the supervision of distinguished professors in Russia.
- An international academic experience in a country ranked among thetop 6 global destinations for international students.
Application Timeline (2025 – 2026)
Registration
- 1 September – 16 November 2025
Register on the official website, complete your profile, and upload the required documents.
First Stage
- 17 – 24 November 2025:Verification of applicants’ profiles.
- 28 November 2025:Announcement of the profile verification results.
Second Stage
- 28 November – 15 December 2025:Completion of the second stage tasks online.
- 15 – 21 December 2025:Review of results.
- 22 – 23 December 2025:Announcement of the preliminary results of the second stage.
- 26 – 30 December 2025:Publication of winners’ lists for Bachelor’s and Master’s tracks, and announcement of those qualified for the third stage of PhD and Postdoctoral tracks.
Third Stage (for PhD and Postdoctoral applicants only)
- 12 January 2026:Review of qualified applicants’ portfolios.
- 19 January – 6 February 2026:Interviews between applicants and potential supervisors.
- 8 – 14 February 2026:Additional interviews on reserve days.
- 16 February 2026:Supervisors’ evaluation of interviews.
- 17 – 25 February 2026:Interviews with research track committees.
- 27 February 2026:Final announcement of winners for PhD and Postdoctoral tracks.
How to Apply
- Applications are acceptedexclusively throughthe official Open Doors website.
- Participation is completely free of charge, and no applications sent via postal mail or email will be accepted.