Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
If you are an ambitious international student aiming for higher education or research excellence, the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026 may be your golden opportunity. Organized by the Global Universities Association with support from the Russian Government, this prestigious competition offers fully funded opportunities—ranging from tuition-free Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to PhD and postdoctoral positions—at top Russian universities. Applications open on September 1, 2025, and winners enjoy remarkable support, including free language courses and research contracts. Let’s dive deeper into how the competition works and the available fields of study. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity.
🎓 Open Doors Scholarship Overview
Location: Russia
Host Institutions: Participating member universities (24+ across Russia)
Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral (PhD‐equivalent), Postdoctoral (research employment)
Target Group: International students from all countries, including stateless persons
Fields of Study: Interdisciplinary subject areas such as AI, engineering, medicine, business, political science, Russian language & culture, and more
Value & Coverage:
Tuition-free study under the Russian Government quota
If required, a free Russian preparatory language year
Postdocs receive employment contracts as researchers
Duration: Varies by track—typically full duration of the degree or research employment period
Application Deadline:
Registration & Portfolio Submission: September 1 – November 16/28, 2025
Exams: November 28 – December 30, 2025
Interviews (PhD & Postdoc): January 12 – February 26, 2026
Start Date: Academic year 2026 (winners may begin studies in 2026 or defer to 2027)
Eligible To:
Bachelor’s Track: Ages ~16–23, completed or completing secondary education
Master’s Track: Ages ~20–33, completed or completing a Bachelor’s degree
Doctoral Track: Ages ~22–35, with Master’s or equivalent
Postdoc Track: Ages up to ~39, with PhD or equivalent
💰 Scholarship Benefits
Tuition fully covered under the Russian Government Quota for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD tracks.
Language support: Free preparatory Russian language year for those choosing Russian-medium programs.
Early admission & priority selection: Winners have priority placement at organizing Russian universities.
Postdoc Benefits: Employment contract as a researcher within a research project at a participating university.
Flexibility: Winners of Bachelor’s through PhD can defer enrollment by one year.
👀 How the Competition Works
Stage 1 – Portfolio & Entrance Test (September 1 – November 28, 2025):
Applicants create an account on the official portal, submit academic transcripts, achievements, motivation letters, and take an entrance test. Documents must be in English or Russian.
Stage 2 – Proctored Exams / Presentations (November 28 – December 30, 2025):
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral Tracks: Online proctored test (175 minutes written + 5 minutes oral), with webcam/desktop monitoring.
Postdoctoral Track: Assessment based on a video presentation of research results (no appeal).
Stage 3 – Interviews (PhD & Postdoc only; January 12 – February 26, 2026):
PhD Track: Up to six online interviews with potential supervisors or doctoral track managers. Recommendations from at least one are required to become a winner.
Postdoc Track: Online interviews with research project heads, with at least one approval needed.
🔍 Result Publication & Follow-Up
Bachelor’s & Master’s Tracks: Winners and runners-up are published immediately after Stage 2 concludes.
Doctoral & Postdoc Tracks: Results are announced right after Stage 3 interviews conclude.
Post-selection Steps: Winners (and, if applicable, runners-up) confirm their intention, submit documents via the Ministry’s Information System, select a field/program/university, and finalize admission or employment.
📚 Available Fields of Study
The scholarship spans 14 interdisciplinary subject areas recognized across all academic tracks. Key fields include:
Applied Mathematics & Artificial Intelligence
Biology & Biotechnology
Business & Management
Chemistry & Materials Science
Clinical Medicine & Public Health
Computer & Data Science
Earth & Environmental Sciences for Sustainability
Economics & Econometrics
Education & Psychology
Engineering & Technology
Physical Sciences & Technology
Politics & International Studies
Russian Language & Culture
Urbanism & Civil Engineering
These areas cater to a broad range of interests—STEM, humanities, social sciences, and cultural studies alike.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Open Doors Russian Scholarship, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Nationality: Open to international students from all countries (non-Russian citizens).
Academic Level:
Master’s Track: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of their undergraduate studies.
PhD Track: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or be in the final year of their graduate studies.
Language Proficiency: Applicants should be able to study in Russian or English, depending on the chosen program. Proof of language proficiency may be required by the host university.
Field of Study: Candidates must apply in one of the designated subject areas offered under the Open Doors Project.
Academic Excellence: A strong academic background, research achievements, publications, or relevant professional experience will strengthen the application.
Age Limit: No specific age restriction is mentioned, but applicants must meet the academic requirements at the time of application.
🚀 How to Apply for the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026
Register Online
Visit the official Open Doors Scholarship portal: https://od.globaluni.ru.
Create an account by filling in your personal details and verifying your email address.
Choose Your Track and Program
Select the competition track (Master’s or PhD) based on your academic level.
Indicate your preferred field of study from the available subject areas.
Complete the Application Form
Fill in the required information including academic background, achievements, and contact details.
Upload the necessary documents in the specified format (PDF/JPEG).
Submit Portfolio
Prepare and upload your academic portfolio (CV, publications, certificates, transcripts, awards, etc.).
Ensure that all documents are translated into Russian or English if issued in another language.
Take the Online Tests/Assignments
Complete subject-based online tests or submit project/research proposals as required for your field.
PhD applicants may be asked to provide a research statement and participate in an interview.
Evaluation and Results
Applications will be reviewed by Russian university professors.
Successful candidates will be notified via the portal and email.
University Admission
Winners will be able to apply directly to one or several Russian universities of their choice.
Admission and scholarship coverage are granted without entrance exams.
💡 Final Guidance for Applicants
The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026 is a unique, fully online opportunity offering:
Tuition-free university admission or research employment in Russia
Supportive structures like language preparation and one-stop scholarship systems
Seamless, completely virtual application – from portfolio to interviews
🧭 To maximize your chances:
Prepare your portfolio early—include transcripts, certificates, publications, and a compelling motivation letter.
Familiarize yourself with sample tasks and the exam format.
If aiming for doctoral or postdoc tracks, fine-tune your research proposal and prepare for interviews.
Don’t miss the registration window beginning September 1, 2025, and closing mid-November. This could be your moment to embark on world-class education and research in Russia.