The 2026 Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons across Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral tracks. Registration opened on 20 August 2026 and closes on 1 November 2026.
Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2026 at a Glance
Open Doors is an international online competition organized by the Global Universities Association under the auspices of Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Participation is free and the official languages are Russian and English.
Four Open Doors Tracks
| Track | Main academic requirement | Competition structure |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | Secondary-school qualification enabling university admission | 2 stages |
| Master’s | At least a bachelor’s degree or completing one in the competition academic year | 2 stages |
| Doctoral (PhD) | At least a specialist/master’s degree or completing one in the competition academic year | 3 stages |
| Postdoctoral | PhD / Candidate or Doctor of Sciences degree | 3 stages |
2026 Age and Status Eligibility
As of the registration opening date, the current rules specify:
| Bachelor’s | Age 16–23; no bachelor’s/specialist/master’s degree |
|---|---|
| Master’s | Age 20–33; no specialist/master’s degree; at least bachelor’s-level qualification |
| Doctoral | Age 22–35; no completed doctoral degree; at least specialist/master’s-level qualification |
| Postdoctoral | Age 24–39; must hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree |
Foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots residing abroad, are eligible.
What Winners Receive
Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks
Winners receive the right to study in the Russian Federation within the Government education quota, with tuition funded from the federal budget. Winners have priority when selecting an eligible degree programme at organizing universities, subject to language requirements and programme availability.
Bachelor’s and Master’s runners-up may receive the same admission rights if quota places remain after winners confirm their places.
Russian-language preparation
Where additional Russian-language preparation is required, eligible winners may study in a federally funded preparatory programme before beginning a Russian-taught degree.
Postdoctoral track
Postdoctoral winners are offered a research position at an organizing university rather than a student scholarship.
2026 Competition Schedule
| Registration opens | 20 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Registration / portfolio deadline | 1 November 2026 |
| First Stage period | 20 August–13 November 2026 |
| First Stage results | 13 November 2026 |
| Second Stage period | 13 November–21 December 2026 |
| Second Stage registration deadline — Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctoral | 16 November 2026 |
| Postdoc video-presentation deadline | 6 December 2026 |
| Bachelor’s & Master’s winners announced | 21 December 2026 |
| Doctoral/Postdoc Third Stage | 22 December 2026–26 February 2027 |
| Third-stage registration deadline | 10 January 2027 |
| Doctoral & Postdoc winners announced | 26 February 2027 |
Current Subject Areas
The 2026 competition covers broad interdisciplinary areas including:
- 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
How to Apply
- Create one account on the official Open Doors platform.
- Select your track, subject area and language of participation.
- Complete the entry test.
- Write the required motivation letter.
- Enter relevant achievements and upload supporting documents in Russian or English, with translations where required.
- Upload the passport you will use for identification.
- Submit the portfolio before registration closes on 1 November 2026.
- If shortlisted, register for and complete the track-specific second stage.
- Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants advancing further must complete the third-stage interviews.
CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance
Do not wait until November 1 to build the portfolio
The first stage includes an entry test, motivation letter and evidence of achievements. Build and upload supporting material early so you can troubleshoot translations and passport details.
Prepare differently for each track
Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants finish after the second stage. Doctoral applicants must be ready for supervisor interviews, while postdoctoral applicants first submit a research video presentation and then interview with project leaders.
Verify language-of-instruction expectations
Winning the competition does not automatically prove language proficiency for every degree. The admitting university may assess the language required by the selected programme.
Applicants can also explore CareerAidHub’s scholarships, PhD opportunities, and postdoctoral fellowships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open Doors 2026 open?
Yes. Registration opened August 20, 2026 and closes November 1, 2026.
Is participation free?
Yes. The official rules state that no participation fee is charged.
Does Open Doors cover tuition?
Winners in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks receive study rights within the Russian Government education quota, with tuition funded from the federal budget.
Are living expenses fully funded?
Not automatically through the core Open Doors award. Living costs, housing and any additional grant support depend on the applicable university and government support arrangements.
What does a postdoctoral winner receive?
Postdoctoral winners are offered research positions at organizing universities.
Official Sources and Registration
| Competition | Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026 |
|---|---|
| Status | Open |
| Registration deadline | 1 November 2026 |
| Tracks | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Postdoctoral |
| Last verified | 15 September 2026 |
