Open Doors Russian Scholarship – Study in Russia for Free

Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is your chance for tuition-free studying and research career in Russia

About us

The Open Doors Olympiad offers limitless opportunities for education, self-development, and new academic career prospects in Russia for young talented individuals from around the globe. 

The Olympiad has been held annually since 2017. It is organized by the Association of Global Universities, a consortium of leading Russian universities, and is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo.

Each year, over a hundred thousand talented and motivated young people from many countries participate in the Olympiad. The competition covers 14 interdisciplinary Subjects, ranging from engineering and medicine to economics and linguistics, with tracks available for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates. Participation in the Olympiad is free of charge and the competition is held online. The working languages of the Olympiad are English and Russian. 

Winning the Olympiad gives admission to bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs, or secures a postdoc position in research projects at one of Russia’s leading universities through a streamlined, one-stop process. Over the past seven years, more than 6,000 international students have enjoyed his opportunity.

What are the benefits for the winners of the bachelor’s, master’s or PhD tracks?

• Free tuition for the chosen study program, taught in English or Russian. Students who have selected a degree program taught in Russian are entitled to a year of complimentary Russian language training;
• The opportunity to choose a university and degree program through a streamlined, one-stop system;
• An engaging student life experience and vibrant campus environment;
• Ongoing support and assistance provided at every stage of the academic journey.

What are the benefits for the winners of the postdoctoral track?

• A postdoc position in a research project at one of Russia’s universities;
• The opportunity to choose a university research project through a streamlined one-stop system;
• The opportunity to work under the guidance of world-renowned scientists, using state-of-the-art research equipment;
• Continuous support at every stage of their research work.

How many stages are there in the Olympiad?

• There are two stages in the bachelor’s and master’s tracks:
• The first stage is a portfolio review and an entrance test. The second stage is a completion of Olympiad tasks.
• There are three stages in the doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral tracks:
• The first stage for both tracks is a portfolio review and an entrance test.
• The second stage for the PhD track is a completion of Olympiad tasks; for the postdoctoral track — a video presentation of achievements in research activity.
• The third stage for the PhD track is an interview with potential research supervisors, and for the postdoctoral track — an interview with the leaders of research projects.

Who can participate in the Olympiad?

Foreign citizens or stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad, who can verify the completion of the previous degree of education or who will complete it in the year the Olympiad is held, depending on the chosen track:

• Bachelor’s track – a completed general secondary education;
• Master’s track – a degree of higher education, at least that of a bachelor;
• PhD track – a degree of higher education, at least that of a master’s or specialist;
• Participants of the postdoctoral track should have a PhD or a candidate/doctor of science degree.

Subjects of the OpenDoors

• Applied Mathematics & Artificial intelligence
• Biology & Biotechnology
• Business & Management
• Chemistry & Materials Science
• Clinical Medicine & Public Health
• Computer & Data Science
• Earth & Environmental Sciences for Sustainability
• Economics & Econometrics
• Education & Psychology
• Engineering & Technology
• Linguistics & Modern Languages
• Physical Sciences & Technology
• Politics & International Studies
• Urbanism & Civil Engineering

Schedule for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral tracks

20 November 2024 Deadline for portfolio submission

You will not be able to edit your portfolio after the deadline. While waiting for the result of your portfolio review, you can use a system of automatic assessment to estimate your approximate score. The system will be available in your personal account.

Competition organized by leading Russian universities

• Far Eastern Federal University
• Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Bauman Moscow State Technical University»
• First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
• HSE University
• ITMO University
• Kazan (Volga region) Federal University
• MGIMO University
• Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University)
• Moscow Polytechnic University
• Moscow State University of Civil Engineering
• National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
• National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
• National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
• National Research Tomsk State University
• Novosibirsk State University
• Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
• Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
• Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”
• Samara University
• Siberian Federal University
• Southern Federal University
• University of Science and Technology MISIS
• University of Tyumen
• Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin

FAQ

How do I contact you in case I have a question or a problem?

If you can’t find the answer on this page – contact us via the feedback form on the web-site. If possible, your message should be accompanied with a screenshot or a video of your screen where we can clearly see your problem. IMPORTANT: it takes an average of 24 hours to process a message. Do not use various channels to send the same message, as it will cause the delays in the correspondence processing time for you and other participants.

How much is the monthly stipend?

Amount varies depending on the university. For more detailed info contact the university you are interested in.

What is included in the scholarship? What do I have to pay for and what is free?

The approve quote (scholarship) covers the tuition fees and provide you with the monthly stipend. All other expenses should be taken care of on your side (transport, food, accommodation, communication services, medical insurance). The accommodation provided by the universities is inexpensive. Information on the available housing on the campuses of the universities is presented on their web-sites. For more detailed info contact the university you are interested in.

Can I work during my studies?

Yes, you can work remotely or in person, and you do not need to obtain a work permit for employment in Russia. Most of the universities assist with the job placements. Sometimes there are vacancies right on campus. These matters are regularly covered on our social media pages. For more detailed info contact the university you are interested in.