If you cannot find the answer on this page, please contact us through the feedback form on the website. Where possible, attach a screenshot or a screen recording clearly showing the issue. Please note that the average response time is 24 hours. Please do not submit the same message through multiple channels, as this may cause delays in processing your request as well as those of other participants.

The number of subject areas for participation is not limited. For each subject area, you must submit a motivation letter. Please take into account the schedule of the Second Stage task sessions, as they may be scheduled on the same day. In the Open Doors Final, if you become a winner or runner-up in more than one subject area, you will be required to choose only one subject area and one degree program at the university of your choice.

You should create a new account and submit your personal information and portfolio again.

After completing registration, you will not be able to change your personal information on your own. If you need any edits, please contact us through the feedback form on the website. We will review your request and make the necessary corrections if it is permitted by the Open Doors rules.

This issue most often occurs if one or more required fields have not been completed (motivation letter or educational documents) or if the entrance test was not taken or passed. If you have fulfilled all requirements but the problem persists, please contact us through the feedback form on the website. Please attach a screenshot or screen recording clearly showing the issue so that we can assist you.

You can make changes only during the First Stage of the Open Doors, and only if you have not yet submitted your portfolio. A motivation letter must be prepared for each subject area in which you participate. If you need to change or upload additional documents to your portfolio, you must withdraw it. Withdrawal is possible only until November 15. 

Your tuition fees will be covered by the Government of the Russian Federation. You will be responsible for covering travel and accommodation expenses, insurance, and personal costs. 

The right to study in the Russian Federation under the Government Quota for foreign citizens and stateless persons may be exercised through only one competition. If you are selected as a winner in more than one scholarship competition, you must review the terms of each and select the one under which you will enroll.

Unfortunately, once the deadline for uploading documents to the participant account has passed, changes are no longer permitted. Participants are therefore advised to make their selections carefully at the time of application.

Once the documents of the winners and runners-up have been forwarded to their chosen university for enrollment, all further communication and support until admission will be provided by that university. To obtain your registration number, contact the university representative directly at the email address provided by the Project Office in the mailing sent to all winners and runners-up.

The amount varies depending on the university. For more detailed information, please contact the university of your choice.

The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend. All other expenses — including transportation, food, accommodation, communication services, and medical insurance — must be covered by the student. University accommodation is generally inexpensive, and information on available campus housing is provided on university websites. For more detailed information, please contact the university directly.

You can work either remotely or offline, and no work permit is required. Most universities provide assistance with job placements, and some even offer vacancies on campus. Information on such opportunities is also regularly published on our social media pages. For more details, please contact the university directly.

You will be enrolled in the field of study indicated in your registration form when applying for a scholarship. Within this field of study, you may choose any degree program available to international students and offered by your selected university. Winners of the Doctoral (PhD) track will be enrolled at one of the universities organizing the Russian Scholarship Project, provided that a representative of the university has confirmed research supervision.

Universities offer study programs in Russian or in English, depending on the institution. If your chosen program is available only in Russian and you need to improve your language skills, you may begin with a one-year preparatory Russian language course. After completing it, your place in the study program will be secured for the following academic year.

No, you will need to find information about the universities yourself. Links to the universities’ official websites are available on the Open Doors website in the “Universities” section. You can also consult the universities’ social media pages and other information resources. In addition, we publish key updates in the Open Doors VKontakte group and Telegram channel. Webinars are also organized, where you can learn more about the study programs offered at specific universities. The webinar schedule is available on the Open Doors website, and links to attend are sent to your personal account.

If you did not become a winner or runner-up, we recommend trying again next year or exploring other opportunities to obtain a Russian Government scholarship (for example, through Rossotrudnichestvo). Universities may also offer alternative admission options, but these are not related to the Open Doors scholarship and should be discussed directly with the university’s representatives.

No, certificates are not issued to participants who did not become winners or runners-up. Certificates for winners and runners-up are available in their personal accounts after the Russian Scholarship Project ends.

Only the motivation letter and proof of your education level are mandatory. The motivation letter must be typed or copy-pasted into the corresponding form, and educational documents should be uploaded to the designated fields. Without these documents, you will not be able to submit your portfolio, take part in the Second Stage, or qualify as a winner or runner-up to receive a scholarship through the Open Doors. If you have not yet received your degree or do not have the degree certificate available, you may upload an official academic transcript, a current or last year’s transcript, a scan of your grade sheet, or another document confirming your education level. In this case, you will need to provide degree confirmation later, at the Stage of university admission. All other documents in the portfolio are optional, but including them may increase the maximum score you can achieve at the First Stage.

No, certified translations are not required at the First Stage (portfolio submission), although you may upload them if available. A certified translation is one prepared by a professionally qualified translator or by an organization legally authorized to provide translation services. However, if you become a winner or runner-up, you will be required to have your translations notarized either at a Russian Embassy or Consulate or at a public notary’s office.

The recommended structure of the motivation letter is provided in your personal account. The letter should include information about your scientific and career goals, professional achievements, reasons for choosing a subject area within the Russian Scholarship Project, and your motivation to study in Russia. Participants of the Doctoral track are strongly encouraged to include a summary of their thesis and a plan of prospective scientific research.

The criteria differ depending on the subject area. The maximum possible score for each achievement category is displayed in your personal account as you fill out the portfolio.

Yes. If you need to add documents or make changes after submission, you can withdraw your portfolio using the option available in your personal account on the Open Doors website. This can be done until November 6.

No, you do not need to confirm your language skills with certificates or in any other way to participate in the Russian Scholarship Project. However, uploading documents that confirm your level of Russian or English may increase your portfolio score.

In your personal account on our website. After the First Stage ends, we will send you an email with detailed instructions. These instructions, together with the rules of the Second Stage, will also be available in your personal account within a few days after the First Stage ends. While registering for the Second Stage, it is most crucial not to miss the deadline. If you don’t register in time, you won’t be able to take your exam.

You should immediately submit a request to do the Secon Stage tasks on the reserve day—no later than the day the task session is held. If permitted by the Open Doors rules, you will be allowed to participate on the reserve day. It is essential to register for the reserve day session in advance, following the provided instructions. If you miss the reserve day or fail to register for it, no additional opportunity can be given, as there is only one reserve day per subject area. Please not that your computer and internet connection must meet the technical requirements, and ensuring this is your responsibility.

Detailed information is provided in the instructions and rules of the Second Stage, which will be available in your personal account after the First Stage ends. During the Second Stage, it is strictly prohibited to use mobile devices or other electronic gadgets, or to communicate with others. Each subject area defines whether the use of specific programs and applications, a calculator, paper, and pen is permitted. While completing the tasks, you are not allowed to open any browser pages other than the Russian Scholarship Project platform or to take screenshots or photos of the screen. Any violation of these or other Second Stage rules may result in the annulment of your results without the right to appeal.

Follow the instructions available in your personal account on the Open Doors website. If this does not resolve the issue, contact the technical support. Please note that most problems are caused by an unstable internet connection. A wired connection is recommended, as mobile and Wi-Fi connections may be unstable even if they appear fast.

Yes. You can appeal the results of the Second Stage if you disagree with the score awarded. The appeal procedure is described in the Rules of Participation published on the Open Doors website. Appeals are submitted through your personal account, where you will also see the updated results once the appeal is processed. Please note that you have only two days after the publication of the Second Stage results to submit an appeal.  There are no appeals for the First Stage (portfolio evaluation) or the Third Stage (Doctoral track interviews).

No. Participation in the Second Stage tasks session is mandatory to win an Open Doors scholarship. Regardless of how many points you received for the First Stage, you cannot be awarded a scholarship without completing the Second Stage.

When registering for participation, you may select from one to six universities. If your top-priority university does not offer the degree program of your choice, your application will be transferred to the next university on your priority list. The final choice of university is made only if you win the Russian Scholarship Project, at the Stage of uploading your documents for scholarship submission.

If you decide to decline the right to study under the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation (via Open Doors), you must submit a signed, free-form statement of refusal indicating your reason. Please send it by email to your university coordinator and copy the Project Office at opendoors@globaluni.ru

Winners of the Doctoral track do not choose a university directly but instead select a prospective research supervisor. Once both the supervisor and the winner confirm their choice, the winner conducts research at the university where the supervisor is employed.

The interview program is available on the page for your Subject area.

No. Eligibility for the Postdoctoral track requires that you already hold a Candidate of Science, Doctor of Science, or PhD degree at the time you submit your portfolio for jury review. A degree confirmation document is a mandatory part of the portfolio and is required for evaluation. 

Yes. If you need to add documents or edit information after submission, you may revoke your portfolio using the option available in your personal account on the Open Doors website. Portfolios can be revoked until November 6.