How to apply for Minor Field Studies
This guide will help get it right when applying for Minor Field Studies. The process of writing an MFS application can be lengthy, so make sure to start preparing well in advance of the deadline.
Before you start with your application, you need to check that you are eligible. You can find entry requirements and other information on the page about Minor Field Studies.
It is a good idea to read the entire guide before you get started as several steps can be started in parallel.
1. Come up with a project idea
Start by thinking about what your project will be about. You can develop the project idea together with your supervisor at the Swedish Defence University and contact organisations in the country you want to travel to to get ideas.
Contact person and research permit
You are responsible for finding a contact person in the host country who must have good knowledge of the country and can be a practical support for you.
Certificates to fill in for your contact person for MFS
Pdf, 138.7 kB.
This person does not have to be an academic supervisor but should be able to provide you with support, advice and assistance with practical arrangements. For example, it can be about housing, safety and contacts.
In some countries, research permits are required to carry out MFS projects. You are responsible for finding out what applies in the country you want to go to. Your contact person in the field can be helpful.
2. Write a project description
When you have a finished idea, write a project description in English (max 2000 words). In it, enter:
- Which country you want to go to
- Timeline of the project including date (at least eight consecutive weeks)
- Alternative structure for the project (both alternative timetable and alternative to the project's methodology if circumstances change)
- Brief planning for arranging accommodation in the host country
- Clear description of purpose for the project related to both development studies and your education
- Choice of investigation methodology for your field study and the thesis as a whole
More about what the project description should contain Pdf, 159.1 kB.
3. Make a budget
Your application must include a preliminary budget. In it, you enter costs for:
- Travel to and from the host country (cheapest possible mode of transport)
- Subsistence in the host country
- Essential travel within the host country or region
- Vaccination
- Equipment (if any)
4. Obtain certificates from supervisors
You need two supervisor certificates: one from your supervisor at the Swedish Defence University and the other from your contact person in the field.
Your programme director at the Swedish Defence University certifies that your MFS project is relevant to your studies. The certificate consists of a special form Pdf, 104.6 kB.. Attach the completed form to your application.
Your contact person in the field must certify that you will receive help with practical issues such as contacts and the like in the host country. There are no formal requirements for how the certificate should be designed. For example, it could be a printed email.
5. Order a study certificate
In your application, you need to attach a study certificate.
6. Write a justification
In addition to the project description, you need to write a personal motivation for why you are applying and why you should receive the scholarship. The justification must be written in English.
7. Fill out the application form
Once you have completed all the previous steps, you can download and fill out the application form.
Download application form Pdf, 220 kB.
In the application, you attach:
- Personal motivation in English
- Study certificate
- Project description in English
- Budget
- Certificate from contact person in the field
- Certificate from supervisor at the Swedish Defence University
When you are finished, send the completed application form and attachments to:
8. Booking, visa and vaccination
You are responsible for booking your trip. Also, make sure you have a visa and are vaccinated before you travel.
9. Tasks during and after the MFS project
There are a number of tasks you need to complete both during and after your field study.
During the field study, you should:
- Keep yourself updated on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' travel recommendations on an ongoing basis.
- Save your travel documents (including boarding passes)
- Immediately notify the MFS administrator if anything happens during the field study that changes the conditions of your study or your right to receive the scholarship.
- Notify the MFS agent if you cancel or shorten the field study.
After the field study, you should:
- Participate in a conversation about your field study with your MFS administrator, the MFS committee and your academic administrator.
- Submit your travel documents (including boarding passes) to the MFS Officer.
- Feedback your research findings to stakeholders in the host country.
- Upload a travel report to your profile in MFS's course registration system.
- Answer an evaluation survey for MFS scholarship holders.