Open Doors Russia Scholarship 2026–27: Eligibility, Stages, Dates and How to Apply

The Open Doors Russia scholarship, officially the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project, is an online academic competition for international students. Winners study at a Russian university without paying tuition. There are four tracks: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral. Registration is open from 20 August to 1 November 2026.

This guide was checked on 9 October 2026 against the official Open Doors website, its 2026 Rules of Participation and the official 2026 booklet.

Open Doors at a glance

What is Open Doors?

Open Doors is a competition, not a normal scholarship form. You build a portfolio, complete tasks in your subject and, in the research tracks, speak to possible supervisors. It has been held since 2017. The official booklet reports more than 618,000 participants from over 200 countries and more than 16,700 winners so far.

Tracks and age limits

Your age and education are checked on 20 August 2026, the day registration opened.

The stages for each track

Key dates

You can submit your portfolio at any time before registration closes on 1 November 2026.

What goes in the portfolio

The Rules of Participation list these parts:

• An entry test
• A motivation letter (see our motivation letter template)
• Your personal achievements, entered in the portfolio fields
• Supporting documents in Russian or English. Documents in another language need a translation.
• A scanned passport, uploaded before registration closes

All text fields must be filled in Russian or English. Portfolio results cannot be appealed.

What winners receive

Tuition-free education

Winners of the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral tracks study tuition-free under the Education Quota for foreign citizens in the Russian Federation. They also get priority in choosing a programme and, if needed, Russian-language preparatory study.

Grant support from the Russian Government

Winners and runners-up can also apply for grant support. The booklet lists what it includes:

• Travel to the place of study, and return travel when you finish
• A monthly allowance, as long as you keep good or excellent grades
• Voluntary medical insurance
• Reimbursement of accommodation costs during your studies

Grant support is for those who get a quota place and study full-time in Russian. If you study in English, tuition is free but you pay your own travel, accommodation, insurance and personal costs. The amount of the monthly allowance is not stated on the official source.

Postdoctoral track

Postdoctoral winners are offered a research position at an organising university. Pay and conditions are not stated on the official source.

Studying in Russian or in English

You can take part in Russian or English, and winners state their language of instruction in the winner’s form. If you choose Russian and need to learn the language first, you may study at a university’s Preparatory Department. The booklet says this is free of charge and lasts one academic year. That year comes before your degree.

The 14 subject areas

• 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

The official website has a page for each subject area with its programme, sample Stage 2 tasks and study materials. For the doctoral track it also shows the research interests of possible supervisors.

How to apply for Open Doors, step by step

1. Read the Rules of Participation on the official website.
2. Choose your track by your age and education on 20 August 2026.
3. Choose your subject area and read its programme and sample tasks.
4. Register on the official Open Doors website by 1 November 2026.
5. Complete your portfolio before registration closes.
6. If you pass Stage 1, complete Stage 2 online: subject tasks, or a video presentation for the postdoctoral track.
7. Complete Stage 3 if you are in the doctoral or postdoctoral track.
8. If you win, fill in the Education Quota application form in your account and submit the documents.

After you win

Bachelor’s and master’s winners fill in a form with their field of study, up to six universities in order of preference and the language of instruction. Doctoral winners give the research specialisation agreed with a supervisor and the language of instruction. All winners receive an electronic certificate in their account.

Frequently asked questions

Is Open Doors fully funded?

Tuition is free for winners. Travel, a monthly allowance, insurance and accommodation costs are covered only through grant support, which is for those who study full-time in Russian.

What is the closing date?

Registration closes on 1 November 2026.

Is there a fee to take part?

No. Participation is free, and the competition is held online.

Which countries can take part?

The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons from any country who meet the rules of their track.

Do I need IELTS?

The official source does not ask for a language certificate to take part. Ask the university about language proof for the programme you choose.

How many universities can I choose?

Bachelor’s and master’s winners list up to six universities, in order of preference.

When are the results?

Bachelor’s and master’s winners are announced on 21 December 2026. Doctoral and postdoctoral winners are announced on 26 February 2027.

Where to apply

Register only on the official Open Doors website, od.globaluni.ru. Our Open Doors scholarship page keeps the key facts and the closing date in one place.