Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project
The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project is a competitive initiative by the Global Universities Association with the Russian government, granting international students access to tuition-free degree programs at 24+ leading Russian universities. The competition is held fully online across 14 subject areas. Over 6,000 international students have benefited over the past seven years.
Popular Participating Universities
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Saint Petersburg State University
HSE University
Bauman Moscow State Technical University
MGIMO University
NUST MISISQuick info
Application status
Olympiad & Quota cycles · Sep – JanDAAD deadlines vary per program. Check the official site for the current intake window.
Opens the provider's official website
Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.
What you get
- Free tuition for the chosen study program (taught in English or Russian)
- One year of complimentary Russian language training (if you choose a Russian-medium program)
- Streamlined one-stop application to multiple Russian universities
- Access to 24+ leading Russian universities (MSU, SPbU, HSE, NUST MISIS, BMSTU, ITMO, etc.)
- Winners can defer enrollment by one year
Requirements
Detailed requirements
- - Foreign citizen or stateless person (compatriots abroad also eligible)
- - Bachelor's track: completed or completing secondary education in the year of the Olympiad
- - Master's track: Bachelor's degree or completing Bachelor's in the year of the Olympiad
- - Doctoral track: Master's or Specialist's degree in the year of the Olympiad
- - Postdoctoral track: younger than 39 years, with PhD degree at registration start
- - No application fee; competition held in English or Russian
Who can apply
International students (including Indonesians) seeking fully funded Bachelor, Master, PhD, or Postdoctoral studies at top Russian universities through a competitive online Olympiad.
Fields of study
Application window
Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025-2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.
Important dates
How to apply
- 1Step 1: Visit od.globaluni.ru and click "Participate"
- 2Step 2: Fill in the application and portfolio in detail (achievements, motivation letter, transcripts)
- 3Step 3: Indicate your desired Russian university
- 4Step 4: Pass the online test in the chosen subject area
- 5Step 5: Pass the second stage (proctored exam or video presentation)
- 6Step 6: For PhD/Postdoc: pass the online interview with a research supervisor
- 7Step 7: If selected as a winner, apply for admission and Russian study visa
Provider
Global Universities Association (Russia)
Russia
More from Global Universities Association (Russia)
Russian Government Scholarship (Quota via Rossotrudnichestvo)
SPbU Open International Olympiad
MGIMO State-Funded Places