The creating of federal universities: conception and reality

Formation of a network of federal universities, first as a pilot project, then after the legislative consolidation of this species forms in the educational legislation — one of the most significant of the system innovations calls so far, discussions in the university community. Tangible state investments into the development of this group of universities logical to raise the question of their special role in the system of universities and more significant contribution to socio-economic development of the country. The article analyzes the current state of a network of federal universities, difficulties in their development. The authors concluded that the project's potential is not fully disclosed.