Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project

Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is your chance for an early admission to a tuition-free study program at one of the leading universities in Russia.

If you are a young and ambitious PhD holder, this is your chance to get a postdoc position at one of the leading universities in Russia.




The Open Doors offers limitless opportunities for education, self-development, and new academic career prospects in Russia for young talented individuals from around the globe.

The Open Doors has been held annually since 2017. It is organized by the Association of Global Universities, a consortium of leading Russian universities, and is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo.

Each year, over a hundred thousand talented and motivated young people from many countries participate in the Open Doors. The competition covers 14 interdisciplinary Subjects, ranging from engineering and medicine to economics and linguistics, with tracks available for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates. Participation in the Open Doors is free of charge and the competition is held online. The working languages of the Open Doors are English and Russian.

Winning the Open Doors gives admission to bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs, or secures a postdoc position in research projects at one of Russia’s leading universities through a streamlined, one-stop process. Over the past seven years, more than 6,000 international students have enjoyed his opportunity.


What are the benefits for the winners of the bachelor’s, master’s or PhD tracks?

  • Free tuition for the chosen study program, taught in English or Russian. Students who have selected a degree program taught in Russian are entitled to a year of complimentary Russian language training;
  • The opportunity to choose a university and degree program through a streamlined, one-stop system;
  • An engaging student life experience and vibrant campus environment;
  • Ongoing support and assistance provided at every stage of the academic journey.

What are the benefits for the winners of the postdoctoral track?

  • A postdoc position in a research project at one of Russia’s universities;
  • The opportunity to choose a university research project through a streamlined one-stop system;
  • The opportunity to work under the guidance of world-renowned scientists, using state-of-the-art research equipment;
  • Continuous support at every stage of their research work.

There are two stages in the bachelor’s and master’s tracks:

The first stage is a portfolio review and an entrance test. The second stage is a completion of the Open Doors tasks.

There are three stages in the doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral tracks:

The first stage for both tracks is a portfolio review and an entrance test.

The second stage for the PhD track is a completion of the Open Doors tasks; for the postdoctoral track — a video presentation of achievements in research activity.

The third stage for the PhD track is an interview with potential research supervisors, and for the postdoctoral track — an interview with the leaders of research projects.

Who can participate in the Open Doors?

The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad, depending on track:

  • having or completing a full secondary education in the year of the Olympiad for the Bachelor’s track;
  • having a Bachelor’s degree or completing a Bachelor degree program in the year of the Olympiad for the Master’s track;
  • having a Master’s or Specialist’s degree for the doctoral track (analogous to PhD) in the year of the Olympiad;
  • younger than 39 years and having a degree of candidate of sciences, doctor of science or a PhD degree on the date of the Olympiad registration start for the postdoctoral track.

Education is completely free.

Remote enrollment: you only need a computer, the Internet and your knowledge. The Olympiad is held in Russian and English.

How to participate?

  1. Visit the website. Choose “Participate”.
  2. Fill in the application and portfolio as detailed as possible.
  3. Indicate NUST MISIS as the desired university.
  4. Describe all your achievements and be sure to write a motivation letter — your exit to the final stage depends on this.

Olympiad exam dates

The start date of registration for the Olympiad is September 1, 2025.

Registration of participants in the Olympiad on the Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral tracks is open from September 1 to November 16, 2025.

The Bachelor’s and Master’s tracks include two stages, doctoral and postdoctoral tracks include three stages.

  • The first round will be held online from September 1 to November 28, 2025 for all tracks. Participants should build their portfolio (fill in the necessary data and download the requested documents) in their accounts in accordance with the requirements for the portfolio structure described on the website of the Olympiad and pass the test.
  • The second round for the Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral tracks of the Olympiad is organized in a proctored form and is held from December 1 to December 15, 2025, according to the schedule, which will be published on the Olympiad website and in the personal accounts of the participants.
  • The second round for the postdoctoral track of the Olympiad is held from December 1, 2025 to January 21, 2026 and is organized in a form of video presentation of scientific results of participants.
  • The third round of the Olympiad for the doctoral and postdoctoral tracks is held from January 27 to February 26, 2026 through online interviews with potential research supervisors and heads of research projects in accordance with the Olympiad schedule.

Registration
Site
YouTube
VK.com
Telegram

About MISIS University

NUST MISIS is one of the most dynamically developing research & education centres in Russia attracting well-prepared applicants, leading scientists and talented teachers. The proportion of foreign students from more than 80 countries is 19%. The university pays special attention to the integration of science, education and innovation, as well as the formation of creative editions, which allows the maximum to develop the ability of each student.

Being one of the leaders of the national technological education, NUST MISIS is a full-fledged research center. The University takes leading positions in the world in THE, QS and ARWU subject ratings in 16 areas at once, entering the TOP-100 in the categories of “Mining&Mineral Engineering” (QS ranking) and “Metallurgical Engineering” (ARWU ranking). In the field of “Materials Science” NUST MISIS enters the group of 90+ best universities (QS ranking) and the 1st place among Russian Universities. About rankings

NUST MISIS’ strategic aim is to strengthen its leadership in materials science, metallurgy, mining, and to significantly strengthen its positions in bio, nano- and IT-technologies. The University encompasses 9 institutions and 6 branches, including 2 branches abroad. More than 45 modern R&D laboratories and 3 world-class research centers, where the best world-famous scientists work, operate at the University. NUST MISIS successfully implements joint projects with leading Russian and international high-tech companies.

NUST MISIS creates a comfortable environment for study and rest — the student town of Metallurg for several years in a row becomes the best student hostel of Russia. From dormitories to the educational building located in the center of Moscow, no more than 20 minutes.

Foreign students of NUST MISIS are entitled to employment during training.

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Information about University location

NUST MISIS is located in the heart of Moscow (2 km from the Kremlin). Everything you might want for a convenient student life is here: accessibility by all means of public transport as well as full range of facilities for academic and student services within reach. All international students are provided with accommodation at the residence halls with developed infrastructures.

An added benefit to studying at MISIS is the opportunity to explore Moscow. Rich in culture and history, Russia’s capital city is an amazing blend of old and new. In addition to the world-renowned Kremlin and Red Square, this cosmopolitan city is home to a multitude of museums, theatres, parks, and palaces. It also possesses a convenient and inexpensive mass transit system, including several metro stations that are cultural heritage sites in and of themselves!

In addition to its historical sites, Moscow is also home to many restaurants, cafes, and night clubs. It provides plenty of shopping opportunities for those who are into seeing and partaking in the latest fashions.

Moscow is a city of contrasts that offers a broad variety of attractions. You will certainly want to make sure to attribute some of your time to discovering all of the wonders of Moscow! More detailed

Сontacts

If you have any questions, you are always welcome at the Department of Professional Navigation and Admission of NUST MISIS (Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 4, B-131). You can also ask your questions by e-mail welcome@misis.ru or phones:

+7 499 649-44-09

+7 499 236-30-78

+7 499 638-46-78

  • Open Doors Olympiad
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