Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026–27 in Russia (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and Postdoctoral)

The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project is an online academic competition for international students, run by the Global Universities Association in Russia. Winners study at a Russian university without paying tuition. There are four tracks: bachelor's, master's, doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral, across 14 subject areas. Registration is open from 20 August to 1 November 2026. You can submit your portfolio at any time before registration closes. Stage 1, the portfolio competition, runs from 20 August to 13 November 2026. Stage 2 runs from 13 November to 21 December 2026, and bachelor's and master's winners are announced on 21 December 2026. Stage 3 is only for the doctoral and postdoctoral tracks. It runs from 22 December 2026 to 26 February 2027, and those winners are announced on 26 February 2027. Winners of the bachelor's, master's and doctoral tracks study tuition-free under the Education Quota for foreign citizens. Grant support from the Russian Government (travel, a monthly allowance, medical insurance and accommodation costs) is only for winners and runners-up who get a quota place and study full-time in Russian. Winners who study in English get free tuition without this extra support, so we label the scholarship as partial. Postdoctoral winners are offered a research position at an organising university. Your age and education are checked on 20 August 2026, the day registration opened. Participation is free and online, in Russian or English. Last checked on 9 October 2026 against the official Open Doors website and its 2026 Rules of Participation.