Fully Funded International Open Doors Olympiad in Russia

The Fully Funded International Open Doors Olympiad in Russia is open to all nationals. The Open Doors Olympiad offers limitless opportunities for education, self-development, and new academic career prospects in Russia for young, talented individuals from around the globe. 
Each year, over a hundred thousand talented and motivated young people from many countries participate in the Olympiad. 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 Olympiad is free of charge, and the competition is held online. The working languages of the Olympiad are English and Russian. 
Winning the Olympiad 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 are 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.

 1. The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad. Depending on the track, individuals are eligible:

• to participate in the bachelor’s track provided they already have or will have in the year of the Open Doors Olympiad an academic degree that allows them to apply to higher education institutions under the national legislation of their country of study;
• to participate in the master's track provided they already have or will get a bachelor's degree in the year of the Open Doors Olympiad;
• to participate in the doctoral track of the Open Doors Olympiad provided they already have or will get, in the year of the Olympiad, a master's or specialist's degree;
• to participate in the postdoctoral track provided they are under the age of 39 and have a doctoral, PhD, or candidate of science academic degree.

2. The official languages of the International Open Doors Olympiad are English and Russian.

3. The Olympiad is held in subject areas that combine several fields of study. A subject area is a set of degree programs that have the same fundamental theoretical basis.

4. Winners of the International Open Doors Olympiad in the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral tracks are entitled to study in Russia within the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation for foreign citizens and stateless persons (hereinafter referred to as the government quota). Their studies will be funded by the Government of the Russian Federation through higher education program funds in accordance with Russian legislation. Winners of the International Open Doors Olympiad have the right to enroll in a degree program of their choice at universities that are members of the Association, as well as at universities co-organizing the International Open Doors Olympiad (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘organizing universities’), provided candidates meet the language proficiency requirements: English proficiency for programs taught in English, and Russian proficiency for programs taught in Russian. The level of Russian proficiency will be assessed by the higher education institution upon admission.

5. Provided it is necessary to improve their Russian language proficiency, winners of the Open Doors Olympiad in the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral tracks are entitled to attend a preparatory course at their chosen university to enhance their language skills. All associated academic expenses are covered by the federal budget. Upon successfully completing the Russian language preparatory course and verification of proficiency, candidates are guaranteed the right to enroll in a degree program of their choice.

6. Runners-up in the bachelor’s and master’s tracks get the right similar to that of the winner, provided there are open vacancies available within the government quota after the winners have confirmed their eligibility.

7. Winners of the Open Doors Olympiad in the postdoctoral track are offered employment as a researcher at one of the universities organizing the Open Doors Olympiad.

8. Winners and runners-up must confirm their readiness to study (for the bachelor’s, master's track, and doctoral tracks) or work (for the postdoctoral track) at a Russian university by providing the necessary documents in the participant’s personal account on the Open Doors Olympiad IT platform (hereinafter referred to as the participant’s personal account) on the dates published on the Olympiad platform.

9. The Open Doors Olympiad is organized on the Olympiad IT platform. The online format requires establishing the participant’s identity as well as controlling the independence of his/her academic performance during the Olympiad.

10. The stages of the Open Doors Olympiad, both in number and content, vary depending on the track:

• There are two stages in the bachelor’s and the master’s tracks: the first stage is a portfolio competition, and the second stage is an online test;
• There are three stages in the postgraduate track: the first stage is a portfolio competition, the second stage is an online test, and the third stage is an interview with potential research supervisors and/or doctoral track managers;
• There are three stages in the postdoctoral track: the first stage is a portfolio competition, the second stage is the selection of candidates for interviews with leaders of research projects based on video presentations of the scientific results of the participants. The third stage is an interview with leaders of research projects.

11. The International Open Doors Olympiad has no participation fee.

12. The Project Office of the Olympiad provides assistance and answers questions that may arise. Participants can reach the Project Office via email at [email protected] or through the feedback form available in the “Support” section on the main page of the official website of the Open Doors Olympiad.