International students, including Kenyans seeking higher education in Russia, can now apply for the 2027 Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project.
The scholarship programme, organized by the Global Universities Association, allows international applicants to compete for tuition-free study and research opportunities at participating Russian universities.
The Russian Embassy in Kenya has also encouraged prospective applicants to apply for the scholarship, which covers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral tracks.
“It’s time to apply for your Russian university scholarship!” the Embassy said.
“Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project offers tuition-free study at leading Russian universities.”
According to the official Open Doors rules, the competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad.
What the Russia Open Doors Scholarship Covers
Winners of the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral tracks are entitled to study in Russia under the country’s education quota for foreign citizens, with tuition fees funded from the federal budget.
Students whose selected programmes are taught in Russian may also receive funded preparatory Russian-language training before beginning their degree programme, subject to the applicable requirements.
The programme also gives winners priority in selecting degree programmes at participating universities, subject to meeting the required language conditions.
For Postdoctoral applicants, winners are offered a research position at an organizing university.
The official rules also state that there is no fee to participate in the Open Doors competition.
Courses Available
Applicants will choose from a wide range of academic fields, including Applied Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, Biology and Biotechnology, Business and Management, and Chemistry and Materials Science.
The list also features Clinical Medicine and Public Health, Computer and Data Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences for Sustainability, Economics and Econometrics, Education and Psychology, and Engineering and Technology.
Other courses include Physical Sciences and Technology, Politics and International Studies, Russian Language and Culture, and Urbanism and Civil Engineering.
The competition is conducted in Russian and English, although the language of instruction depends on the individual programme and university.
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Who Can Apply?
The eligibility requirements differ according to the level of study.
Bachelor’s
Applicants must be foreign citizens and must be 16 to 23 years old when registration opens.
They must not already hold a Bachelor’s, Specialist, or Master’s degree and must have completed, or be completing, an educational qualification that allows them to enter university in their country.
Master’s
Applicants must be 20 to 33 years old at the opening of registration.
They must have, or be completing, a qualification equivalent to at least a Bachelor’s degree and must not hold a Specialist or Master’s degree.
Doctoral/PhD
Applicants must be 22 to 35 years old and must hold, or be completing, a Specialist or Master’s degree.
Applicants who have already completed a doctoral degree are not eligible for this track.
Postdoctoral
Applicants must be 24 to 39 years old and must already hold a Candidate of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences, or PhD degree.
How the Selection Process Works
The competition is conducted online and has different stages depending on the level of study.
For Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants, the competition has two stages.
The first stage is a portfolio competition, followed by a final stage involving Open Doors tasks.
Doctoral and Postdoctoral applicants go through three stages.
In the first stage, applicants must complete their portfolios, take an entry test, provide information about their achievements, submit a motivation letter, and upload supporting documents.
Applicants who progress to the second stage complete online tasks. For Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral applicants, the second stage is conducted under online proctoring.
Postdoctoral applicants submit a video presentation of their research achievements at the second stage.
Doctoral and Postdoctoral applicants who progress to the final stage take part in online interviews with prospective research supervisors or research project leaders.
Important Application Dates
Registration for the Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral tracks opened on August 20, 2026, and closes on November 1, 2026.
The official Open Doors schedule shows that the first-stage results will be published on November 13, 2026, followed by the second stage between November 13 and December 21, 2026.
The final stage for Doctoral and Postdoctoral applicants will run from December 22, 2026, to February 26, 2027.
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How to Apply
Applicants should visit the official Open Doors website, create an account, select the appropriate study track and subject area, and complete the required portfolio.
They must then take the entry test, write and submit the motivation letter, and upload the required supporting documents before submitting the portfolio by the November 1 deadline.
Applicants should monitor their accounts for information on the next stage.
Applicants should ensure their personal details match the passport they will use for identification.
The supporting documents must be in Russian or English, or accompanied by a translation into the selected competition language.
Submit applications through the official Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project website, Apply for the Open Doors Russian Scholarship
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