This article presents research results of national research universities (NRU) and federal universities (FU) contribution to the Project of competitiveness enhancement of the leading Russian universities among global research and education centers (Project 5-100). The following indicators were analyzed: publications, indexed in Web of Science and Scopus databases, share of international students and faculty, share of young employees and staff with PhD, performance in international rankings, etc. The analysis was based on 41 quantitative and 11 qualitative indicators. In the analysis the following data sources were used: statistical forms 1-Monitoring, rankings agencies data, etc. It has been determined that the most influence on the Russian education competitiveness enhancement in the world belongs to the leading NRU – participants of Project 5-100. The article analyzes the contribution of federal universities in the implementation of the Project 5-100.

This article presents the research results of flagship universities activities, which support social and economic development of the Russian Federation regions, including the creation of innovation, technological and social region development centers. The research covers the period from 2015 to 2018. The following core areas of flagship universities were analyzed: educational, research, integration with regions and high-tech industries, international activities. Essential aspects of financial and economic activity and employment policy were considered. The analysis was based on 41 quantitative and 11 qualitative indicators, among which 8 indicators were prioritized. In the analysis the following data sources were used: statistical forms 1-Monitoring, rankings agencies data, etc. The effectiveness of flagship universities was studied. Problems and positive tendencies in flagship universities development were determined and analyzed.

The article presents the results of the national research universities (NRU) development programs implementation analysis for the period 2008–2018. The authors have held a comparative analysis of NRU activities with other strategic initiatives in the field of higher education in Russia, in particular, Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100 on Competitiveness Enhancement of the Leading Russian Universities among Global Research and Education Centers; Project «Federal Universities»; support for strategic development programs of state educational institutions of higher education; sustainable relationships support between higher educational institutions and regional enterprises and organizations within the framework of the priority project “Universities as Innovation Drivers”. The analysis was based on 41 quantitative and 11 qualitative indicators. In the analysis, the following data sources were used: statistical forms 1-Monitoring, data from ranking agencies, etc. It has been determined that implementation of development programs for the entire NRU network is generally successful and positively affects the development of Russian higher education. The leading NRU – the participants of Project 5-100 have shown the greater impact on the enhancement of the Russian education in the world.