Russian Government Scholarship

The Russian Government Scholarships are the largest scholarships and/or grants for international students in Russia. The Russian government offers over 15,000 financial grants to international students coming to study in the country every year. Read this article to learn everything about the Russian Government Scholarship for international students. 

The Russian Government Scholarships are highly coveted among international students for the advantages they offer. These government funds cover the cost of your education in Russia for its complete duration. Additionally, for international students willing to learn the Russian language, there are grants available at the preparatory department. Read this article to learn complete details about the Russian Government Scholarship 2025-26. Check out the 10 best universities to study in Russia. 

What do the Russian Government Scholarships Cover?

By far, we have learned that the Russian Government Scholarships cover the complete cost of tuition for international students. But the benefits of securing a Russian Government Scholarship go far beyond that. Here’s what the scholarship covers for international students:

1. Complete tuition fee of your chosen course for its entire duration. 
2. Grant for a preparatory Russian language course
3. A monthly stipend
4. A place to stay in a student residence in Russia
5. Additional payments (check the official website for more info)

Also read: Top 10 universities in Russia for Indian Students 2025-26

What is not covered in the Russian Government Scholarship?

The Russian Government Scholarship do not cover the following:

• Transfer to a university
• Living expenses
• Health insurance
• Multiple visa costs
• Registration documents after you arrive in Russia

Also check: Top 10 medical universities in Russia 

Eligibility for the Russian Government Scholarship

Only those students are eligible for the Russian Government Scholarship who:

1. Have finished their secondary or vocational schools
2. Have qualified for the competitive exam within their own country.

Also Read: Reasons to study MBBS in Russia

Russian Government Scholarship Application Process

Here’s the step-by-step to register for the Russian government scholarships 2025/26:

Step 1 - Register on the Russian Government Scholarship Website 

Visit the Russian government scholarship official website at education-in-russia.com to look for the best suitable course for yourself and apply for the scholarship.  

Note that the official Russian government scholarship has over 14,000+ courses and 500 universities to choose from. This accounts for almost all courses getting listed on the site.

Note that you can select more than 1 and up to 6 russian universities, and the more the number of universities you choose, the higher your chance of getting selected. Here are the instructions to complete step 1 of the registration process:

• Click on “search for educational programs” and choose a specialisation that aligns with your aspirations. 
• Further, you’ll be required to choose your educational background, select your desired course from the set of available options and then focus on the “free tuition or government scholarship” option given at either side of the screen. Tick this option/course.
• After you tick your preferred course, your course will be shown at the top of the page, and you will be required to click on “proceed”.

Read: MBBS fees in Russia for Indian Students

Step 2 - Complete Your Profile and the Online Application Form

In this step, you’re required to complete your profile in your personal account section. You need to:

• Upload your photo, 
• Upload your degree certificate, and 
• a copy of your passport  
• Your active phone number for the authorities to reach you
• Indicate the course and education level that you want to achieve in Russia
• Tick the need to take the Russian language preparatory course (since most of the higher education courses are taught in Russian, so tick if the majority of your course is also taught in Russian). For this, tick ‘point no. 27’ on the application.  

Press the ‘Register’ button after successfully filling out the complete application. 

Step 3 - Pass the Competitive Selection Process

The final step towards studying in Russia for free by means of availing the Russian government scholarship passes via qualifying for the Competitive Selection after submitting the application. The Competitive Selection process needs to be completed within your own country by contacting either the Russian Embassy in your country or the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC). The Competitive Selection process involves completing the application form, attaching required documents, and taking the entrance exams or participating in interviews. Note that this competitive stage must be started in your country by contacting an RCSC in your country. If there is no RCSC in your country, then you must connect with the Russian Federation’s embassy in your country.

The selection process of these scholarships is overseen by Russian government agencies like Rossotrudnichestvo or through dedicated projects like Open Doors.

Step 4 - Get Your Results

The selection of candidates for the Russian government scholarships to help them study in the country for free is done primarily by the Russian embassy and RCSC after receiving all completed applications. Note that the results will be declared after competitive selection in your country, and your chosen Russian universities have made a selection. 

Step 5 - Get your Russian Student Visa

If you’re granted a scholarship by the Russian government, then your invitation to study in the country and, therefore, apply for a Russian student visa will be prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. This invitation can be accessed on russia-edu.ru or via your email.

Russian Government Scholarship Result Declaration

The winners of the Russian Government Scholarships are chosen on the basis of whether they have passed the competitive selection and are also selected by their chosen Russian university. On average, the results may be released in 1-2 months.

What if you don’t get a Russian Government Scholarship?

 If you don’t get successful in getting a successful Russian government scholarship, you can still study in Russia on a contract paid basis. You’ll be required to send a separate application for the contract, and once your request is approved, you can study at your chosen Russian institution on a paid basis. 

You won’t need to send a separate or new application to the university.