Vladimir Potanin Fund Scholarship Competition 2014-15

Full-time master’s students from 75 universities of Russia can take part in the competition.

Please note that although the competition is open to foreign students, the selection rounds are conducted in Russian.

The competition is divided into two rounds:

Round 1 distant;  to assess the academic and creative potential of an applicant, his or her motivation and dedication. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Expert Council. The results of the first round will be announced via email and published on the Fund’s website.

Round 2  internal; is organized as a business game. The aim of the selection is to assess the leadership and organizational skills of a potential scholarship holder, his or her communication skills, ability to adapt quickly to new circumstances and to find creative solutions.

Participants of the second round are invited to a one day business game (conducted in Russian). The game is based on the participant’s University programme. Candidates assemble on a geographical and interuniversity basis. The internal round takes place in several cities throughout the country, with a maximum of 200 participants  in each game. In 2015 internal rounds will be held in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Kazan, Tomsk, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok. Applicants will be reimbursed for travel expenses. There is no limit on the number of participants from any university.

From the results of the two rounds the Expert Council will choose 300 winners, who will receive the Fund scholarship of 15,000 rubles per month from the second semester of the academic year up until graduation.

Scholarship holders can also participate in the Fund School, present their project and win a scholarship for its implementation.

Schedule for the Scholarship competition in the 2014/15 academic year

Applications are accepted from September 15 to December 1, 2014.

The results of the first round will be announced by December 25, 2014.

The internal round will be held on a day between January 26 and  February 15, 2015.

Scholarships will be paid from February 2015 to the end of the course.

The Fund School will be five days longbetween June 29 and July 10, 2015.

How to apply

From September 15 to December 1, 2014 please complete the application form (in Russian) on the website www.fondpotanin.ru and attach the following documents:

• a copy of your diploma of higher education (bachelor, specialist)
• a recommendation from your supervisor (head of the master's programme, head of  department)
• an essay explaining the subject of your proposed Master's thesis in simple terms
• a motivation letter

Criteria for competitive selection

• high academic potential
• leadership qualities
• organizational skills
• teamwork skills
• ability to quickly perceive and analyze new information
• creative thinking.