The article examines some historical aspects of the development of higher education in Russia, the main stages and results of selective support for universities over the past 15 years, the positions of Russian universities in the global rankings of 2021. The trajectories of further development of the system of organization, support, control and evaluation of the effectiveness of scientific work, personnel and innovation activities of universities in three target areas and programs are proposed
Keywords: selective support, global ranking, funding, program, high school