Most scholarships lock you into one degree level or one field. Open Doors does something different. It opens a single competition to bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and even postdoctoral applicants, across fourteen subject areas, at twenty-four Russian universities. If you have been hunting for a scholarship route that does not shut you out because of your nationality or your chosen field, this one deserves your attention.
Here is everything you need to know before you register, drawn directly from the official Open Doors website.
Comparing scholarship routes before you commit to one? You may also want to check this guide on how to find affordable universities abroad.
What Open Doors Actually Is
Open Doors is an international online olympiad, not a traditional scholarship application. The Russian Scholarship Project “Global Universities” Association runs it, with backing from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo. You compete against other applicants worldwide, and the winners and runners-up earn the right to tuition-free study in Russia under the government quota for foreign citizens.
The programme has grown fast. Organisers report over 200 countries represented, more than 618,000 total participants since the project began, and over 16,700 winners so far. As of mid-September 2026, more than 100,000 people had already registered for this cycle, within a month of registration opening.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Russia |
| Study levels | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral (PhD), and Postdoctoral |
| Nationality | Open to applicants from any country |
| Fields | Fourteen subject areas, including AI, biotechnology, medicine, business, engineering, and more |
| Registration opens | 20 August 2026 |
| Registration deadline | 1 November 2026 |
| Format | Fully online, including the entrance stages |
| Funding | Tuition-free study plus a monthly stipend; travel and living costs are the student’s responsibility |
| Universities | 24 Russian universities across 12 cities |
| Official site | od.globaluni.ru |
Who Can Apply and What You Can Study
Open Doors welcomes applicants from any country, at any of four tracks: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral. Each track has its own requirements, so check which one matches where you currently stand in your education.
The fourteen subject areas cover a wide spread:
- 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
If physics and applied research careers are more your speed, it is also worth looking at CERN’s internship and graduate programmes, which sit well alongside fields like Physical Sciences and Technology or Applied Mathematics and AI.
You are not limited to one subject area either. You can register for as many as you like, though each one needs its own motivation letter, and you need to watch the Second Stage exam schedule carefully in case two of your chosen areas land on the same day.
The Competition Stages, Step by Step
Open Doors runs through three stages, and understanding the flow now saves you from missing a deadline later.
First Stage (20 August to 1 November 2026): You register, pick your track and subject area, then build a portfolio. The portfolio needs a motivation letter, proof of your current education level, and your passport. These three documents are mandatory. Without them, you cannot move forward. Everything else in the portfolio is optional, but extra achievements can raise your score, and a strong scholarship recommendation letter is one of the easiest ways to boost that optional portion.
Second Stage (13 November to 21 December 2026): For Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral tracks, this stage is a timed online exam. You get 180 minutes to complete tasks of varying difficulty, monitored through online proctoring software, so your computer and internet connection need to meet the technical requirements in advance. The Postdoctoral track skips the exam and instead asks for a video presentation of your research achievements, due by 6 December 2026.
Third Stage (22 December 2026 to 26 February 2027): This stage applies only to the Doctoral and Postdoctoral tracks. Doctoral applicants interview with a prospective research supervisor. Postdoctoral applicants interview with a research project leader. If you have never done one of these before, it is worth reading up on how to prepare for a scholarship interview. Bachelor’s and Master’s winners skip this stage entirely, since their results come out on 21 December 2026.
Full Schedule at a Glance
| Stage | Dates | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | 20 August 2026 | Account creation begins |
| First Stage | 20 Aug – 1 Nov 2026 | Portfolio, motivation letter, entry test |
| Registration deadline | 1 November 2026 | No more edits after this date |
| First Stage results | 13 November 2026 | Published in your account |
| Second Stage | 13 Nov – 21 Dec 2026 | Timed exam or video presentation |
| Second Stage registration deadline | 16 November 2026 | For Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral tracks |
| Postdoctoral video deadline | 6 December 2026 | Video presentations close |
| Bachelor’s and Master’s winners announced | 21 December 2026 | Final results for these two tracks |
| Third Stage | 22 Dec 2026 – 26 Feb 2027 | Interviews for Doctoral and Postdoctoral tracks |
| Third Stage registration deadline | 10 January 2027 | Last chance to book an interview slot |
| Doctoral and Postdoctoral winners announced | 26 February 2027 | Final results for these two tracks |
Once your results are in, knowing what to do after receiving a university admission offer helps you move quickly on housing, visas, and enrolment paperwork.
What the Scholarship Actually Covers
Winners and runners-up receive tuition-free education under Russia’s government quota for foreign nationals, along with a monthly stipend. Here is the part many applicants overlook: the stipend amount varies by university, and Open Doors does not publish one fixed figure. You need to contact your chosen university directly to find out what you would actually receive.
What the scholarship does not cover matters just as much. You are responsible for:
- Travel to and from Russia
- Accommodation, though university housing tends to be affordable
- Food and daily living costs
- Medical insurance
- Communication services
The good news is that working while you study is allowed. You do not need a separate work permit, and many universities help with job placements, some even offering campus positions.
Weighing this against other fully funded routes? You may also want to check the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28.
Real Examples From the Current Cycle
The project is not just a paper promise. Recent news from the official site shows tangible outcomes: a UrFU international student recently won an architectural design competition for a floating research platform concept for the Northern Sea Route, and Ural Federal University has climbed in subject rankings for materials science, energy, metallurgy, and mathematics. These updates come straight from the Open Doors news page, so you can track how active the programme currently is.
Participating Universities
Twenty-four universities take part, spread across twelve Russian cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, and Vladivostok. Among the organising institutions are HSE University, ITMO University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Sechenov University, and Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. You can select up to six universities when you register. If your first choice does not offer your chosen degree programme, your application automatically moves to the next university on your list.
Comparing other fully funded national scholarships too? You may also want to check the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028 in the UK.
Language of Instruction
Universities teach in either Russian or English, depending on the institution and programme. If your chosen programme runs in Russian and you need to build your language skills first, you can start with a one-year preparatory Russian language course, after which your place in the main programme stays secured for the following year.
No language certificate required here either. You may also want to check this guide to studying in Germany without IELTS on scholarship.
How to Apply
- Visit the official Open Doors website and create your account.
- Choose your track (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, or Postdoctoral) and your subject area.
- Build your portfolio with your motivation letter, education proof, and passport.
- Submit before the 1 November 2026 registration deadline.
- Complete the Second Stage exam or video presentation within your assigned window.
- If shortlisted for Doctoral or Postdoctoral tracks, register for and attend your Third Stage interview.
🔗 Official Website: Visit the official Open Doors website
🔗 Official Application Link: Register for Open Doors 2026–2027
Also considering European options alongside Russia? You may also want to check the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Open Doors scholarship really free?
Tuition is fully covered by the Russian government for winners and runners-up. However, you still pay for travel, accommodation, food, and insurance yourself. The stipend amount depends on your university, so confirm the figure directly with your chosen institution before you commit.
Can I apply if I already won once before?
Yes, but Open Doors does not carry your account forward. You need to create a brand new account and resubmit your full portfolio each year, since previous accounts cannot be accessed again.
What happens if I win more than one scholarship competition?
You can only use the Russian government quota through one competition. If you win Open Doors alongside another scholarship, you must compare both offers and choose a single one to enroll under, since you cannot combine them.
Do I need language certificates to apply?
No. You do not need to prove your Russian or English ability with certificates to participate. That said, uploading language proof can raise your portfolio score, so it is worth including if you have it.