In 2013, the Government of Russian Federation, per a decree by President Vladimir Putin, developed and ratified that plan to develop Russian universities, increase their competitive ability and place them among the world’s top research and educational institutions (Project 5-100).

 

ITMO University was among the 50 Russian universities that took part in an open competition for the right to receive state funding; as a result, 15 winners were picked and given the opportunity to implement their programs for the improvement of their international standing (5-100 programs). In 2015, another 6 universities joined the project as the result of a second competition.

 

In 2016, Project 5-100’s International Council supported the creation of a Strategic Academic Unit (SAU) system at ITMO University.