Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027 for International Students

The Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027 gives international students an opportunity to study tuition-free at leading universities in Russia. The program is organized by the Global Universities Association and supported by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rossotrudnichestvo.

The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons. It offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral tracks. The competition is held completely online in English or Russian, and participation is free.

Quick Highlights

About the Open Doors Russian Scholarship

The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project has been held annually since 2017. It provides international students with a route to study and conduct research at participating Russian universities.

According to the official website, the project has attracted participants from more than 200 countries, with over 618,000 participants and more than 16,700 winners since its launch.

The competition covers 14 subject areas, 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, Economics and Econometrics, Education and Psychology, Engineering and Technology, Physical Sciences and Technology, Politics and International Studies, Russian Language and Culture, Earth and Environmental Sciences for Sustainability, and Urbanism and Civil Engineering.

There are 24 organizing universities, including HSE University, ITMO University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Sechenov University, MGIMO University and RUDN University.

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Financial Benefits

The scholarship covers the main costs associated with tuition and provides a monthly stipend.

• Tuition fees: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral winners receive tuition-free study through the Russian Government Education Quota.
• Monthly stipend: Scholarship recipients receive a monthly stipend. The amount depends on the university.
• Russian language preparation: Students who need Russian-language preparation for a Russian-taught program can receive a one-year preparatory course under the applicable quota arrangements.
• University choice: Bachelor’s and Master’s participants can indicate up to six preferred universities. Final placement depends on the available program, admission requirements and applicable quota procedures.
• Postdoctoral opportunity: Postdoctoral winners receive an offer for a research position rather than admission to a degree program.

Expenses not covered: Accommodation, food, transportation, communication services and medical insurance must be paid by the student.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons. Eligibility also depends on the applicant’s age, previous qualification and selected track.

• Bachelor’s: Applicants must be 16 to 23 years old. They must not already hold a Bachelor’s, Specialist or Master’s degree and must have, or be completing, a qualification that allows admission to higher education in their country.
• Master’s: Applicants must be 20 to 33 years old. They must not hold a Specialist or Master’s degree and must have, or be completing, at least a Bachelor’s-level qualification.
• Doctoral: Applicants must be 22 to 35 years old. They must not have completed a PhD and must hold, or be completing, a Master’s or Specialist degree.
• Postdoctoral: Applicants must be 24 to 39 years old and must already hold a PhD, Candidate of Sciences or Doctor of Sciences degree when submitting the portfolio.
• Language: The competition is conducted in English or Russian. IELTS, TOEFL or another language certificate is not a general requirement for participation, although language proficiency may be assessed during university admission.

Other Related Opportunities : University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 | Fully funded

Selection Process and 2027 Timeline

The number of stages depends on the selected track.

Bachelor’s and Master’s: Two stages. The first stage includes the entry test and portfolio competition. The second stage is a proctored online task session.

Doctoral: Three stages. Candidates complete the portfolio and entry test, take the second-stage tasks and then participate in interviews with prospective research supervisors.

Postdoctoral: Three stages. Candidates complete the portfolio and entry test, submit a video presentation of their research achievements and participate in interviews with research project leaders.

For Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral candidates, the second-stage session lasts 180 minutes, including written-response tasks followed by an oral-response task.

Key Dates for 2027

• Registration opens: August 20, 2026
• Registration deadline: November 1, 2026
• First-stage results: November 13, 2026
• Second-stage registration deadline: November 16, 2026
• Second Stage: November 13 to December 21, 2026
• Postdoctoral video presentation deadline: December 6, 2026
• Bachelor’s and Master’s winners announced: December 21, 2026
• Third Stage: December 22, 2026 to February 26, 2027
• Doctoral and Postdoctoral winners announced: February 26, 2027

Participants can appeal their Second Stage results within two days of publication. First Stage and Third Stage results cannot be appealed.

Required Documents

Applicants complete their portfolio through the Open Doors online platform. The mandatory documents at the portfolio stage are:

• Motivation letter
• Proof of education level, such as a degree certificate or transcript if the degree has not yet been issued

Applicants can also submit supporting evidence of academic or other achievements, as well as language certificates. These can strengthen the portfolio score.

Postdoctoral applicants must also provide the required degree confirmation and submit a video presentation of their research achievements during the Second Stage.

Documents must be submitted in the selected competition language, English or Russian, according to the applicable rules.

Other Related Opportunities : ADB-Japan Scholarship Program 2027 | Fully Funded Masters At Asia Pacific University (APU), Japan

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Open Doors website and create an account.
2. Select your track, subject area and competition language.
3. Complete the entry test and prepare your portfolio.
4. Upload your motivation letter, education document and supporting evidence.
5. Submit the portfolio before November 1, 2026.
6. If selected, complete the required Second Stage tasks or video presentation.
7. Doctoral and Postdoctoral candidates who reach the final stage participate in the relevant interviews.
8. Winners follow the instructions provided through the Open Doors platform for university admission or research placement.

Bachelor’s and Master’s winners and runners-up can indicate up to six preferred universities during the relevant quota application process. Doctoral and Postdoctoral candidates follow separate procedures for university, supervisor or research-project selection.

Frequently Asked Questions