The Open Doors Scholarship, a transformative study in Russia initiative, invites international students to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at over 500 Russian universities, including top institutions like HSE University (#250, QS World University Rankings 2025), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Ural Federal University, and Kazan Federal University. Organized by the Association of Global Universities in collaboration with the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rossotrudnichestvo since 2017, these fully funded scholarships Russia foster global academic innovators in 14 subject areas, including computer science, engineering, physics, biomedicine, economics, psychology, and artificial intelligence. Scholars embark on a transformative Russian education, engaging in cutting-edge research to address global challenges.
The Open Doors Scholarship, also known as the Open Doors International Olympiad, attracts over 6,000 international students annually, offering programs in English or Russian across 24 leading universities. Scholars access world-class facilities, such as MIPT’s Quantum Computing Lab, HSE’s Data Science Hub, or Kazan’s Biomedical Research Center, collaborating with expert faculty and industry leaders like Rosatom, Yandex, and Sberbank on projects tackling climate resilience, digital innovation, global health, and economic development, with 85% of alumni securing global leadership roles in academia, industry, or policy. Russia’s research-intensive education, supported by a $15 billion R&D investment (2024), empowers scholars for impactful careers in a 3.1% GDP growth economy (2025 estimate).
The scholarship champions global professional networks. Scholars join the Open Doors Alumni Network, connecting with peers, mentors, and research experts from over 100 countries through conferences, cultural exchanges, and events like Moscow Innovation Summit, St. Petersburg Science Festival, or Kazan Global Research Forum. This inclusive framework promotes diverse perspectives, with 60% of participants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Campus activities, such as AI hackathons, Moscow Cultural Week, or Ural Tech Symposium, enrich the research-driven experience, with 80% forming international professional ties. Russia’s partnerships with European, Asian, and North American institutions enhance cross-border research opportunities.
Studying in Russia, scholars explore landmarks like Moscow’s Kremlin, St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Lake Baikal, or Kazan’s Kul Sharif Mosque, immersing in Russian cultural vibrancy. Events like Maslenitsa Festival, Moscow Film Festival, or Victory Day Celebrations deepen engagement. Russian campuses, equipped with advanced labs, digital libraries, and student hubs, support global academic excellence, with connectivity to Berlin, Beijing, and Dubai. Russia’s safe, dynamic cities (QS Best Student Cities 2025: Moscow #26, St. Petersburg #51) complement academic pursuits, ideal for international students.
Candidates participate in the International Olympiad, involving a portfolio competition, online tests, and PhD interviews with research supervisors. Join a global cohort to champion academic excellence, embrace Russian cultural heritage, and redefine career horizons with the Open Doors Scholarship!
Russian Government Scholarship:
Host Country:
•Russia
Organized By:
This scholarship competition is organized by the top universities in Russia. These universities are:
•Higher School of Economics (HSE)
•Tomsk state university
•ITMO University
•Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
•Novosibirsk State University
•National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
•National University of Science and Technology MISIS
•Ural Federal University
•Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”
•Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
•Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU)
•Tomsk Polytechnic University
•Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
•People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN)
•University of Tyumen
•Far Eastern Federal University
•Kazan University
•Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod (UNN)
•Samara National Research University
•Siberian Federal University
•South Ural State University
Degree Program:
•Master’s Program
•PhD
Available Specializations under the Russian Government Scholarship:
•The scholarship covers various fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, humanities, and social sciences. Applicants can choose up to six Russian universities, with no more than two selected from Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Benefits of the Russian Government Scholarship:
•The tuition fee will be paid by the Russian Federation.
•The winner can get admission to any Russian University which offers the subject in which he/she may have won the Olympiad.
•If you are not selected for last year’s Olympiad, you can apply for this year again.
Eligibility Criteria of the Russian Government Scholarship:
1. All international or foreign students for master’s and PhD can apply.
2. The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree for master’s track and a master’s degree or specialist’s degree for doctoral track analogous to PhD.
3. The compatriots who are living abroad can also apply.
4. There is no gender discrimination in this Olympiad.
5. Every foreign individual regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, or gender can apply.
6. The participant must be proficient in English or Russian language.
7. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.
Documents required for the Russian Government Scholarship:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Graduation of bachelor’s or master’s degree.
3. Academic transcript of bachelor’s or master’s program (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).
7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).
Scholarship Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in December 2025!
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
