2026 competition: registration closes on 1 November
The official schedule checked on 24 October lists 1 November 2026 as the registration deadline. It lists 13 November as the first-stage result date; that later date is not a new application deadline. Use the account instructions for the final submission cut-off and time zone.
Scholarship websites often refer to 2027 study while the organiser calls this the 2026 competition. Record both the competition and intended study cycle so that an old result page does not become your application plan. Save a final submitted portfolio copy before the official editing window ends.
Choose the track that fits your next qualification
The 2026 rules link eligibility to age and qualification, assessed against the registration-opening conditions. Check both columns: having the required degree does not remove the age condition. Applicants must meet the full rule for their track.
For the degree tracks, the rules address both completed qualifications and those due in the competition academic year. Postdoctoral applicants must already hold the relevant research degree at registration opening. Use the official wording for your exact situation.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Track | Published age band | Qualification condition to check | Selection route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 16–23 | Secondary qualification; no prior bachelor’s, specialist or master’s | Portfolio and subject tasks |
| Master’s | 20–33 | At least bachelor’s; no specialist or master’s | Portfolio and subject tasks |
| Doctoral | 22–35 | Master’s or specialist; no completed PhD | Portfolio, tasks and interviews |
| Postdoctoral | 24–39 | PhD, Candidate or Doctor of Sciences | Portfolio, presentation and interviews |
Official reference: Open Doors competition rules
Separate the base scholarship from conditional extra support
The main official FAQ describes tuition coverage and a university-dependent stipend, while personal costs remain the student’s responsibility. The organiser’s August announcement also describes possible additional government grant support for participants enrolling in Russian-language programmes. These are not identical guarantees.
Ask the chosen university which support applies to your track, language and award. Until you have confirmation, budget for housing, food, insurance, travel and arrival costs yourself. Do not assume that the phrase “fully funded” means all of these are automatically free.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Tuition | The quota/award and eligible programme attached to your result |
| Stipend | Amount and payment arrangements at the receiving university |
| Extra government grant | Eligibility, separate conditions and actual award confirmation |
| Personal costs | Housing, meals, insurance, travel and money needed before payment |
Build a relevant portfolio, not a certificate collection
Start with the subject area and track criteria. For each achievement, ask what it demonstrates: subject knowledge, research skills, an original output or preparation for the next degree. A smaller evidence file that can be understood is better than many unrelated attachments.
Use accurate titles, dates and descriptions. If a project was a team effort, state your contribution rather than taking credit for the whole result. Check translation and file requirements in the account. Motivation should connect your evidence with the selected subject, not simply repeat a desire to study abroad.
Check your progress
0 of 5 complete · kept only while this page is open
A practical motivation-letter plan
Use the official prompt in your account as the authority. As a drafting method, organise notes around preparation, academic purpose, evidence and the next step. For doctoral applications, research direction and supervision fit deserve more attention than a long biography.
From achievement to subject fit
Evidence: I analysed a small dataset for my final project and documented the cleaning process. Learning gap: I need deeper training in experimental design and reproducible analysis. Subject fit: I will compare the subject-area curriculum and university research groups against those gaps before deciding my preferences.
Original fictional planning notes, not an official winning letter. Replace them with your own evidence and the actual prompt.
Prepare for the second stage before the result
The official procedure uses proctored subject tasks for the degree tracks. Preparation should use the organiser’s syllabus and samples, not unofficial “leaked” questions. Test your computer, connection, camera and identity-document access before the scheduled session.
Record the account’s separate second-stage registration and time-slot instructions. Advancing from stage one is not the same as being registered for stage two. If different subject sessions clash, resolve the choice before the last day. Follow the rules on permitted resources and independent work.
University preferences and winning are separate steps
Check which participating institution offers your intended programme, teaching language and research environment. A university’s reputation does not establish that it offers the exact course you want. Keep a preference sheet with the programme URL and an unresolved-questions column.
After a qualifying result, follow the organiser’s document-transfer and admission instructions. A competition result does not remove later documentation, enrolment or immigration responsibilities. Research-track applicants should distinguish a supervisor’s interview from a final university admission decision.
Plan for an offer, an unsuccessful result or a technical problem
Keep a budget and a second funding option while waiting. If you encounter a submission problem, contact the project office with a concise description and permitted supporting screenshot; do not send the same request through many channels.
For the next step, open the official rules and schedule together and write down the next action that applies to your track. If registration has closed by the time you read this, use the same structure to prepare for a future call, without assuming its dates.