How to apply for Minor Field Studies (MFS)

• The field study must be relevant to your program or subject and linked to one or more of Sweden's strategies for development cooperation in the host country. Find more information on the Programme Office's website under "Information for students: How can I align my MFS project with Swedish development cooperation strategies?"
  MFS programme office
• MFS study can only be conducted in one approved host country. It is important to keep note of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Utrikesdepartementet) advice against travel to certain countries and regions. Find further information under the heading "Host countries and strategic alignment"
  Minor Field Studies
• Your MFS studies should be at least six consecutive weeks (42 days) and no more than 20 weeks. This includes date of arrival in the host country until date of departure from it.
• The essay or degree project in which your MFS study results, must be written in English.
• You are expected to have some basic knowledge in Swedish. Some of the documents and guidelines are in Swedish, and it is relevant as the programme is financed by, and positioned within, Swedish development cooperation.

• It is common and recommended that two students travel to the same host country together. Keep in mind that all MFS applications are individual, which means that if two students write a degree project together, they must apply individually. The paper is also assessed individually. Clearly outline in the project description who will be doing what in the field studies project.
• Contact your department's MFS contact (usually the International Coordinator) and ask if there are any specific requirements for your particular programme or course.
• Ethical issues are important in data collection. Read more on the course website for your essay course/degree project or contact the course coordinator/supervisor if you need to confirm your planned project.
• Some countries require research permits for an MFS study and it may take time to apply and receive this.

Stockholm University does not accept applications from students from other universities.

Start the process by reading about the MFS stipend, the Swedish development cooperation, and the development cooperation strategies. Make sure you meet the admission requirements to receive a scholarship. Check the application deadline.

Attend an MFS information session by the Student Services to learn more about MFS and the process. The info-session date and time is found here:
Minor Field Studies (MFS)

Think about what you would like to write your thesis/degree project about, based on the MFS scholarships terms, and some tips are:

- Consider what topic(s) has been exciting during your programme so far, or what you would like to do in the future.
- Consider how your thesis/degree project will/can connect with development questions.
- Ask your department if they have ongoing collaborations or research in the subject area you are interested in.
- Which development cooperation thematic strategy are you most interested in and which is most relevant to your program? Is this thematic area prioritized in the region or country you wish to travel to? (Check the regional strategy or country strategy to see which thematic areas and goals are prioritized in a specific region or country).

Please read the tips on how to find a contact person on the following webpage:
Minor Field Studies, heading "Supervisor and contact in host country"

In addition to those tips, please consider:
- How are your language skills?
- How does the practical situation look like in the host country i.e. accommodation, economy, security?

Book an appointment with the member of staff responsible for the MFS programme at your department (often the exchange coordinator). Get support from your department about your planned field study:
- Request information if there are any specific regulations to consider, relevant for your department and/or educational programme.
- Is there any specific semester that fits well for a field study in your educational programme?
- Ask for a supervisor that can discuss your project plan.

The MFS-application can be extensive, please ensure to devote some time on it and here are some tips on where to start:
- Make a plan for how you will write the MFS application. What needs to be done when? How can you plan to work continuously with the application so that you can tick off a few things along the way?
- Start working in the project description template immediately, it will be easier and you will save time.
- What ethical considerations do I need to consider?
- Do you need writing support? The Academic Writing Service provides English-language support for writing and study skills. They offer individual consultations, give talks and seminars, and coordinate writing groups for thesis students. Their services are free of charge for all students at Stockholm University.
Academic Writing Service

Ask your supervisor/department if they can read your application (especially your project description) and confirm that they support your application. This is done by them filling out and sending the document “Confirmation from department” to the MFS coordinator at mfs@su.se.

Your department has an important role in the assessment of your application, hence the importance that they have approved your project before you submit your application.

Submit your MFS application, information below. Make sure you submit a complete application according to the application instructions and before the deadline.

• Project description. This document forms the basis of your application. It must be no more than 1800 words (excluding reference list). If two students are writing an essay together, it must be clearly stated in the project description (link to the document template in MFS-portal)

• Budget outline including travel expenses based on the cost of living in the respective country (link to the document template in MFS-portal)

• Personal statement describing why you want to do an MFS field study (no more than one page).

• Confirmation from the contact person in field confirming that there is a contact person in the country to assist you. If you submit an email exchange, make sure you include both your initial email requesting for a contact person and the contact person's reply confirming the request. Please note: the confirmation must be submitted in English. If your contact does not speak English, please write a translation in English and attach to application. The link to the template is found in the MFS-portal.

• Download National results certificate or excerpt from Ladok:
  Ladok for students

• Copy of passport or equivalent confirming citizenship. If you are not a Swedish citizen, you must enclose a certificate from Skatteverket certifying that you have been registered in Sweden for at least 12 months.

• The confirmation from the department at Stockholm University must be downloaded from the MFS portal and filled in by your academic supervisor or director of studies. This document needs to be sent directly from the supervisor or director of studies to the MFS coordinator at Stockholm University via mfs@su.se.