The Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027 offers international students an opportunity to study tuition-free at leading Russian universities. Organized by the Association of Global Universities with the support of the Russian Government, the competition is open to students and researchers from more than 185 countries.
Applicants can compete for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral study opportunities. The entire competition is conducted online, meaning applicants can participate from their home countries.
Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2027 – Overview
- Host Country: Russia
- Organizer: Association of Global Universities
- Supported By: Russian Government
- Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
- Participating Universities: 24 leading Russian universities
- Competition: Fully online
- Deadline: 1 November 2026
Participating universities include HSE University, ITMO University, Kazan Federal University, Novosibirsk State University, and other leading institutions.
Available Fields
The scholarship covers a wide 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
- Economics and Econometrics
- Education and Psychology
- Engineering and Technology
- Environmental Sciences and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences and Technology
- Politics and International Studies
- Russian Language and Culture
- Urbanism and Civil Engineering
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants can receive:
- Tuition-free education at participating Russian universities
- Monthly stipend from the host university
- Access to research facilities, laboratories, and academic opportunities
- Study programs available in English or Russian, depending on the program
- Fully online application and competition process
- Career and job-placement support offered by participating universities
- Access to an international academic community
While tuition is covered, applicants should plan for other expenses such as travel, accommodation, food, insurance, visa-related costs, and personal expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor’s
Applicants must have completed secondary education or be in their final year of high school. Academic transcripts or equivalent proof of education must be provided.
Master’s
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of their undergraduate studies.
PhD
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification. A research proposal and online interview with potential supervisors may be required.
Postdoctoral
Applicants must already hold a PhD, Candidate of Science, Doctor of Science, or equivalent qualification when applying.
Applicants may select multiple subject areas during the competition, but successful applicants ultimately choose one program and one university.
How to Apply
The application is completed online through the official Open Doors platform.
1. Register Online
Visit the official application portal
Create an account and carefully enter your personal information.
2. Select Your Subject Area
Choose the subject area or areas that match your academic background and interests. A motivation letter may be required for each selected area.
3. Submit Your Portfolio
Upload the required documents, which may include:
- Motivation letter
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate or proof of enrollment
- Certificates and awards
- Language certificates
- Publications or other achievements
4. Complete the Selection Stages
The competition generally includes:
Stage 1 – Portfolio Evaluation:
Applicants’ academic achievements, motivation, and supporting documents are evaluated.
Stage 2 – Online Problem-Solving Challenge:
Shortlisted applicants complete an online competition in their selected subject area.
Stage 3 – Interview:
PhD and Postdoctoral applicants may participate in an online interview with potential supervisors.
5. University Selection
Winners receive their results through their personal accounts and can select one participating university and one eligible program.
They may then need to provide official documents and notarized translations to the selected university for final enrollment.
Important Note
The Open Doors Scholarship provides tuition-free education, but it should not automatically be considered a fully funded scholarship. Applicants should be prepared to cover expenses that are not included in the scholarship package.
Candidates should also check the official competition rules for the most up-to-date requirements, participating universities, programs, and application instructions.
Application Deadline
1 November 2026
