Need a fully funded scholarship to study in Russia? The Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project, supported by the Global Universities Association, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and Rossotrudnachestvo, provides tuition-free and high-quality education to international undergraduates, postgraduates, PhD students and postdoctoral students. Launched in 2017, this prestigious program has brought on board participants in over 185 countries to date and has awarded over 6,300 scholarships. Applicants can also study English or Russian at the leading universities in Russia in any major such as engineering, medicine, business, AI, environmental sciences, and others in 2025-2026 through an online, simplified application process.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Russia |
| University | 24+ Leading Russian Universities |
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral |
| Coverage | Fully Funded (Tuition-Free, Possible Stipend & Language Training) |
| Eligibility | International Students & Stateless Persons |
| Deadline | 16 November 2025 |
Detailed Description
The Open Doors initiative enables the admission of talented foreign students to some of the best Russian universities free of tuition, based on a competition conducted online. Competition is across a number of academic levels and a number of subject areas including:
- Applied Mathematics & AI
- Biology & Biotechnology
- Business & Management
- Clinical Medicine and Public Health.
- Computer & Data Science
- Engineering & Technology
- Economics & Econometrics
- Urbanism & Civil Engineering
It is completely online, with the opportunity to submit in English or Russian. The winners are paid their tuition fees and in most instances, they also get language training or even a monthly allowance. The system will be divided into stages: submission of portfolios, problem-solving/projects and during the PhD/postdoc interviews: interviews with the research.
Program Benefits
- Scholarships on selected courses.
- Full year free training of Russian language, when it is in the Russian language.
- Monthly allowance and potential accommodation allowance, based on the university.
- Efficient application system with multi-track access using a single system.
- Guidance during your academic years, and possibly placement.
Eligibility Criteria
The participants should be foreign citizens or stateless individuals (even compatriots abroad). Different tracks have different educational requirements:
- Bachelor’s: completed or final secondary education.
- Master: Bachelor/ Specialists degree (or pursuing it in application year)
- PhD: the Master’s or Specialist degree (or completion during the application year)
- Postdoc: PhD or Candidate/Doctor of Science at registration.
Required Documents
- Letter of motivation (typed in the portal)
- Education (degree certificate or transcripts) provided.
- Optional: language proficiency documents (may be scored higher)
- Other auxiliary materials: publications, extracurriculars, certificates, awards.
Note: The translations do not need to be notarized when submitted, but later on, when chosen.
Application Process
- Apply online to the official portal Open Doors (since 1 Sept 2025)
- Compile and send your portfolio along with motivation letter and evidence of education (16 Nov 2025)
- First step: Portfolio analysis and trial (e.g., until 28 Nov 2025)
- Second stage: Postdoc video presentation or Proctored test (after December)
- Third stage (depending): Interview with future supervisors (in case of PhD/postdoc) early 2026.
- Winners announced: depending on the track, at the end of December 2025 and the beginning of February 2026.
Deadline
- Registration/ submission of portfolio: 16 November 2025.
- Subsequent phases are on rolling schedules into early 2026 by track.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official website below:
FAQs
1. Is the scholarship completely free?
Yes, full tuition coverage is given to winners, and lots of them are also offered stipends or language training; details depend on the university.
2. What languages are allowed?
They can be applied in English or Russian. Language certificates are not mandatory for selection, but can better your score.
3. How many universities can I choose?
You can choose the number of universities 1-6, with preference. In case your initial option does not provide your program, your application is forwarded to the second.
4. Can I edit my portfolio after submission?
Through your account, you are able to withdraw and make changes in your portfolio until the deadline. But beyond this no revisions may be made.
5. Are interviews required?
PhD and Postdoc tracks only–these have an interview with potential supervisors early 2026.
6. Is this scholarship open every year?
Yes it is an annual event initiated in 2017, and repeated yearly with the same eligibility and mechanism.
Conclusion
The Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is the best portal to tuition-free, high-quality education in Russia by international students. It is supported by the Russian government and major universities, it provides easy entry through a multi-stage online application, generously finances tuition (and sometimes expenses), and extends through undergraduate to postdoctoral studies. You have until 16 November 2025 to get it in your calendar–regs and portfolio must be received–and open the door to your future as an academic!