How to Apply for Russian Government Scholarships: Prepare for 2027/28 Based on the Previous Cycle

2026-10-04 · Guides

Applications for Russian Government Scholarships are submitted online via education-in-russia.com. The previous cycle opened on September 15, 2025, with a deadline of January 15, 2026, for most countries, and applicants could select up to 6 universities. As of October 4, 2026, the opening announcement for the 2027/28 academic year has not yet been released.

For families looking to apply to universities in Russia, the first question is often about the "Russian Government Scholarship." Officially known as the "Quota of the Government of the Russian Federation" (commonly referred to as government-funded spots), the selection process is organized by the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (abbreviated as "Rossotrudnichestvo"). All applications are submitted through the official website, education-in-russia.com. As of October 4, 2026, the latest news post on the website was published in May 2026, and there is no announcement yet for the 2027/28 academic year. Below, we have outlined the process and key dates based on the official information from the previous cycle (2026/27 academic year) to help you prepare in advance.

Key Dates from the Previous Cycle

Event	2026/27 Academic Year (Previous Cycle)
Application Opens	September 15, 2025
Deadline for Most Countries	January 15, 2026
Extension for Some Countries	Extended to late January through late March 2026

In January 2026, the official website published an extension notice listing countries with delayed deadlines, including Vietnam, Laos, Iran, Georgia, and Serbia. China was not on this list. This means that for the previous cycle, Chinese applicants were subject to the uniform deadline of January 15.

The official opening and deadline dates for the 2027/28 academic year have not yet been announced. Based on past announcements on the website, admissions for the 2025/26 academic year started in early October 2024, and the 2026/27 academic year opened on September 15, 2025. Both opened in the fall, but please refer to the announcements on education-in-russia.com for exact dates and do not calculate backwards based on previous years.

Application Steps

According to the application guide published on the official website in September 2025, the process consists of four steps:

Register an account on education-in-russia.com, go to "My Application," and click "Create New Application."
Select your education level and major, choosing up to 6 universities.
Upload documents: scanned passport, scanned proof of education (if currently enrolled, upload proof of enrollment), and scanned transcripts.
For graduate-level applications (referred to as "postgraduate" or "residency" programs by the Russian side), you must also upload a statement of purpose and a thesis outline or article related to your research direction.

The most common mistake: After filling out the materials, make sure to click "Submit for Review." The website specifically reminds applicants that applications left in "Draft" status will not be considered in the selection process.

Who Can Apply

The website states that government-funded spots are only available to foreign citizens. If an applicant also holds Russian citizenship, they must meet two conditions: residing outside of Russia on a long-term basis and not holding any previously issued educational credentials from Russia.

Preparations You Can Make Now

Prepare your documents first. You will need scanned copies of your passport, proof of education or enrollment, and transcripts. It is best to get these ready early and ensure the name spelling matches your passport exactly.
Plan your 6 university choices carefully. Since spots are limited, do not concentrate all your choices on the most popular schools. Create a balanced list based on your major and preferred cities.
Start early if applying for graduate programs. Your statement of purpose and thesis outline or article related to your research direction take time to polish, so do not wait until the application opens to start writing.
Check the language of instruction. Language requirements vary by university and program. Confirm these on the target university and program pages before applying.
Keep an eye on official announcements. Opening and deadline dates, as well as any extensions, are based on the news section of education-in-russia.com. For specific questions during the selection process, the website recommends contacting the overseas representative offices of Rossotrudnichestvo or Russian embassies and consulates abroad.

Regarding exactly which expenses the government-funded spots cover and the annual quota numbers, we could not find the official figures for this year in this article. Please refer to the information published on the official website and by the Russian institutions in China.

Need Help?

If you are considering Russia or other non-traditional destinations for university applications and want to plan your school selection, language preparation, and timeline together, you can check out our University Application Planning Service or Book a one-on-one consultation.