Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027

Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027 for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD & Postdoctoral Studies

Applications are now open for the Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027, offering international students an opportunity to study at leading universities in Russia through a tuition-free scholarship programme.

The scholarship is open to international applicants, including students from African countries, and covers Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD study tracks. A separate Postdoctoral Track provides opportunities for qualified researchers to secure research positions in Russia.

The Open Doors competition is conducted online, meaning applicants can complete the initial application and selection stages from their home countries without travelling to Russia for the competition.

Registration closes on November 1, 2026.

About the Open Doors Russian Scholarship

The Open Doors International Olympiad is organised by the Association of Global Universities with support from Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

It provides talented international applicants with a pathway to study at participating Russian universities through the Russian Government quota.

Winners in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks can study without paying tuition fees at participating universities, subject to the programme’s placement and admission procedures.

The programme covers numerous academic disciplines and involves more than 20 participating Russian universities.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on the study level being pursued.

Bachelor’s Track

Applicants should:

• Have completed secondary/high school education; or
• Be completing their secondary education during the relevant application period
• Be eligible to enter a Bachelor’s programme
• Provide the required academic records as part of their portfolio

This makes the Bachelor’s competition suitable for international secondary-school graduates seeking undergraduate study in Russia.

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Master’s Track

Applicants should:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree; or
• Be completing their Bachelor’s degree
• Meet the academic requirements for admission into a Master’s programme
• Provide their degree certificate or relevant academic transcript

Final-year undergraduate students can therefore participate, provided they meet the programme requirements.

PhD Track

Applicants should:

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
• Meet the requirements for doctoral study
• Submit the required research information
• Be prepared to participate in interviews with potential research supervisors

The doctoral selection process includes additional stages beyond the general portfolio competition.

Postdoctoral Track

• Applicants for the Postdoctoral Track should already hold an appropriate doctoral qualification, such as a PhD, Candidate of Science or Doctor of Science degree.
• Applicants awaiting completion of their doctoral degree are not eligible for this track at the portfolio submission stage.
• Unlike the degree tracks, the Postdoctoral Track is aimed at matching successful researchers with research opportunities rather than awarding another academic degree.

Eligible Countries

The Open Doors competition is international.

Students and researchers from African countries can apply, subject to meeting the requirements of their chosen track.

The online format also allows candidates to participate in the initial competition without travelling to Russia.

Available Study Areas

The programme covers a broad range of academic disciplines, 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
• 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

Applicants select the subject area relevant to their academic background and intended programme.

Participating Universities

Successful applicants can pursue their studies at participating Russian universities.

Institutions involved in the Open Doors project include universities such as:

• HSE University
• ITMO University
• Kazan Federal University
• Novosibirsk State University
• Moscow State University of Civil Engineering

The full selection includes more than 20 participating institutions, and available universities depend on the applicant’s chosen subject area and programme.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD applicants can benefit from:

1. Full tuition coverage
2. Admission through the Open Doors competition
3. Study at participating Russian universities
4. Monthly stipend according to the applicable university/government arrangements
5. Access to university academic and research facilities
6. Opportunities to study programmes offered in English or Russian
7. Russian-language preparatory study where applicable
8. Access to research and academic opportunities

Postdoctoral winners can receive opportunities to take up research positions with participating institutions.

Important Funding Information

Applicants should understand the difference between tuition coverage and full living-cost funding.

The Open Doors scholarship covers tuition for successful degree-track winners, and students can receive a monthly stipend under applicable arrangements.

However, applicants should not assume that all costs associated with studying in Russia are covered.

Students may need to finance expenses such as:

• International airfare
• Accommodation
• Food and daily living expenses
• Health insurance
• Visa-related expenses
• Other personal costs

Applicants should therefore plan financially for expenses that are not explicitly covered by the scholarship.

Application Fee

There is no application or participation fee for the Open Doors competition.

Applicants should use the official Open Doors platform and should be cautious of individuals or organisations requesting payment to secure selection.

How the Selection Process Works

The Open Doors competition is conducted online and involves several stages.

Stage 1: Registration and Portfolio Submission

Applicants create an account on the Open Doors platform and complete their personal and academic information.

Candidates then select their preferred subject areas and prepare the required portfolio.

Documents can include:

• Motivation letter
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates or proof of current study
• Academic achievements
• Certificates and awards
• Language proficiency evidence
• Publications or research achievements, where applicable

Some supporting documents are optional but can strengthen the applicant’s portfolio.

Stage 2: Portfolio Evaluation

Submitted portfolios are evaluated based on the competition’s criteria.

Applicants who achieve the required results proceed to the next stage.

Stage 3: Online Academic Challenge

Qualified participants complete an online problem-solving or academic assessment relating to their chosen subject area.

Because the assessment is conducted remotely, applicants need reliable internet access and must comply with the competition’s examination rules.

Additional Stage for PhD and Postdoctoral Applicants

Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants can be required to participate in online interviews with potential research supervisors.

Supervisor selection and approval form an important part of placement for these tracks.

Final Selection and University Placement

Winners and runners-up receive their results through their Open Doors accounts.

Successful degree applicants then proceed with programme and university selection according to the competition rules.

Applicants can initially explore different subject areas, but successful candidates ultimately select their final programme and university for enrolment.

Final admission also requires submission of the documentation requested by the selected university, including certified or notarised translations where required.

Do You Need IELTS?

Language requirements depend on the university, programme and language of instruction.

Applicants should not automatically assume that IELTS is required for every Open Doors programme. They should check the specific language requirements of their preferred university and academic programme before completing the admission process.

Why African Students Can Apply

The Open Doors competition is designed for international applicants rather than Russian citizens studying through the ordinary domestic admission route.

Eligible applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries can participate provided they satisfy the academic requirements for their chosen level.

Because the competition stages are conducted online, African applicants can participate in the selection process from their home countries before any eventual travel for enrolment.

Registration Deadline

November 1, 2026.

Applicants should complete their registration and required portfolio submissions before the official deadline.

How to Apply

Applications are completed online through the official Open Doors platform:

https://od.globaluni.ru/

Applicants should:

1. Create an account on the Open Doors portal.
2. Select their preferred study track and subject area.
3. Complete the required personal and academic information.
4. Prepare the required motivation letter.
5. Upload academic documents and supporting achievements.
6. Complete and submit the portfolio before the deadline.
7. Monitor their account for information about subsequent competition stages.

Applicants are advised to rely on the official Open Doors portal for final requirements, competition schedules and programme-specific instructions.

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Deadline: November 1, 2026

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