Russia Open Doors Scholarship

The Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is run by the Global Universities Association together with Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. It is an international competition (olympiad) that allows winners to study tuition-free at participating top Russian universities, across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, with admission granted without the usual university entrance exams.

The award covers full tuition at participating universities and a monthly government stipend, for the duration of the chosen programme, plus a one-year Russian preparatory course if needed; accommodation is not covered, so dormitory costs should be budgeted separately. Winners gain admission under the Russian government quota and access to leading universities and research labs.

Eligibility is for international citizens (excluding Russian citizens) who hold or are completing the relevant prior degree for their track (high-school completion for bachelor’s, a bachelor’s for master’s, a master’s for the doctoral track), with no formal GPA cutoff (the olympiad replaces entrance exams) and language proficiency in English or Russian depending on the programme; you cannot hold another Russian government scholarship at the same time. You register free on the Open Doors website during the window, build your portfolio, and take the online competition and second-stage assessments in your subject area. For international students considering Russia, it is a competition-based, fully funded route.

• Open to international citizens (excluding Russian citizens).
• Hold or be completing the relevant prior degree for your track (high-school completion for bachelor's, a bachelor's for master's, a master's for the doctoral track).
• No official GPA cutoff (the olympiad replaces entrance exams), though an excellent record helps.
• Language proficiency in English or Russian depending on the programme.
• Cannot hold another Russian government scholarship at the same time.

• 100 percent tuition coverage at participating top Russian universities.
• Monthly government stipend (around RUB 5,000 to 8,000).
• Admission without university entrance exams.
• Access to leading Russian universities and research labs.
• A free preparatory Russian course where needed (budget separately for accommodation).

• Open Doors online registration and portfolio.
• Prior degree certificate and transcripts (or proof of current study).
• Motivation and portfolio materials.
• Identity document or passport.
• Language proficiency proof as required.

• Confirm you are a non-Russian applicant meeting your track's requirements (high-school completion for bachelor's; a bachelor's for master's; a master's for the doctoral track).
• Register free on the Open Doors website during the window, build your portfolio, and take the online competition and second-stage assessments in your chosen subject area.
• Winners are admitted tuition-free under the Russian government quota at a participating university (confirm the current date).