Open Doors Russian Scholarship 2025 — Tuition-Free Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD & Postdoc | Study in Russia
Looking for tuition-free study in Russia at top universities? The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2025 (by the Association of Global Universities, supported by Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rossotrudnichestvo) offers a streamlined, one-stop admission path into Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral tracks across 14 interdisciplinary subject areas. The competition is online, free of charge, and held in English and Russian. Over 100,000 applicants join each year, and more than 6,000 international students have already secured places through Open Doors.
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Why Open Doors Stands Out
- Tuition-free study (winners in Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD tracks study within the government quota).
- Language options: programs taught in English or Russian (winners in Russian-taught programs get 1 year of free Russian language training).
- Choose your university & program within a centralized system.
- Postdoc track winners receive paid research positions at leading Russian universities.
- Entire process is online, accessible worldwide.
💡 Pro Tip : If you’re aiming for a Russian-taught degree to widen university choices, consider the free preparatory language year - it’s covered for winners and massively boosts success during your degree.
Who can apply (Tracks & basic eligibility)
- Bachelor’s track: completed general secondary education (or finishing this year).
- Master’s track: Bachelor’s degree (or completing this year).
- PhD (Doctoral) track: Master’s or Specialist degree (or completing this year).
- Postdoctoral track: under 39 with a Doctoral/PhD/Candidate of Science degree.
Working languages: English & Russian.
Subject Areas (14)
- Applied Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Business and Management
- Chemistry and Material Science
- Clinical Medicine and Public Health
- Computer and Data Science
- Earth and Environmental Sciences for Sustainability
- Education and Psychology
- Engineering and Technology
- Physical Sciences and Technology
- Politics and International Relations
- Russian Language and Culture
- Urbanism and Civil Engineering
What winners receive
Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD winners
- Free tuition in chosen program (English or Russian).
- Free 1-year Russian language course for those choosing Russian-taught programs.
- One-stop university & program selection.
- Campus life, international support, and guidance through all steps.
Postdoctoral winners
- Postdoc position in a university research project.
- Choose a project via a one-stop system.
- Work with leading scientists, access to advanced labs, ongoing support.
Competition format & stages
Bachelor’s / Master’s (2 stages)
- Portfolio + entrance test (automated test; up to 3 attempts, best score counts).
- Open Doors tasks (online, proctored).
PhD (3 stages)
- Portfolio + entrance test
- Open Doors tasks (online, proctored)
- Interviews with potential supervisors/track managers.
Postdoc (3 stages)
- Portfolio + entrance test
- Video presentation of research achievements
- Interviews with research project leaders.
🔒 Pro Tip: Stage-2 is proctored. You’ll need a valid ID upload, working webcam, and stable internet. Practice logging in and framing your ID before test day.
2026 cycle - key dates
Registration
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD: Sept 1 – Nov 16, 2025
Stage 1 (Portfolio Review)
- Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD: November 17-27
- Announcement of first stage result - 28 November, 2025
Stage 2
- Registration - 28 November - 1 December.
- Proctored Tests - 2 - 15 December
- Post-Doc upload video presentations by 14 December.
- Second Stage Result - 30 December, 2025
Stage 3
- PhD and Post-doc interviews - 12 January - 26 February, 2026
Winners & Runner-Ups Announced
- 26 February, 2026
After you win: enrollment & paperwork
- Winners/runners-up in Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD must submit documents to Russia’s Information System for foreign applicants (you’ll receive the exact list & deadlines via email + personal account). (Notarized translations in Russian are to be submitted.)
- You’ll rank degree programs/universities (and confirm language track).
- PhD winners choose field + supervisor/university per interview outcomes.
- Postdoc winners get instructions for onboarding as researchers.
🗂️ Pro Tip: Start collecting legalized/apostilled degree certificates early - that step often delays visa & enrollment.
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