You can apply for the scholarship if:

• You are enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program at Södertörn University.
• You are planning to conduct a thesis at the bachelor's, master's, or master's level.
• You are a Swedish citizen or have permanent residency (PUT) in Sweden.
• You have good knowledge of English (or possibly another working language).
• You have not previously received an MFS scholarship.
• You have never started research-level education.

How to apply

Apply for MFS The call for the autumn term 2025 is open from April 1 to April 30, 2025. You apply by filling out the attachments below and emailing them to mfs@sh.se. Supporting documents may be submitted no later than May 15, 2025. You may travel as early as June 1, 2025, and must return to Sweden no later than December 31, 2025.

Things to consider before your application

• All MFS applications are individual. Even if you are two people writing your thesis together, your applications will be assessed individually. The project description must clearly state who is doing what during the field study.
• The thesis must be written in English.
• The MFS program is coordinated nationally by Stockholm University, but you apply for scholarships through the student department at Södertörn University. You must have a supervisor at Södertörn University and a contact person in the host country. The Swedish supervisor is primarily responsible for the project and academic supervision. The local contact person assists on-site but is not responsible for the content of the study.
• The field study must be related to Sweden’s development cooperation or humanitarian aid. Development cooperation is long-term support for the development of other countries. Humanitarian aid is emergency support in crisis situations. Read more here: Start page | The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency | SIDA External link.
• The field study can be related to ongoing research at Södertörn University in a country where Sida has development cooperation, or to an ongoing project with Sida’s aid. It cannot be conducted in a country where the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel. Read more here: Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel - UD avråder - Regeringen.se (In Swedish) External link..
• Once you are granted a scholarship, you must participate in a mandatory MFS preparation meeting. At the meeting, you will receive information about the scholarship, insurance, personal safety, health, and practical details before, during, and after your planned MFS field study. After your study is completed, you will participate in a follow-up meeting where you share experiences, tips, and advice with other students.

Assessment and Notification

Your application will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• The academic foundation of the project description, method choice, and overall quality.
• The feasibility of the project.
• Your capacity to produce the thesis in English.
• The project’s relevance to one or more of the global goals for sustainable development.
• The setup of the field study, with special attention to safety aspects.

Obligatory preparations prior to departure

Everyone who receives an MFS grant must complete the obligatory preparatory material before leaving Sweden to travel to the host country. These preparations will increase your knowledge and understanding of the health, safety and security risks that your field study may entail. More information about these preparations will be sent to you when you are notified that your application is successful.

More Information

Read more about Minor Field Studies. External link, opens in new window.

If you have questions about MFS, you are welcome to contact mfs@sh.se

Information Meetings Information meetings for students and supervisors who are interested in learning more will be held:

• Wednesday, April 2, 12:00-13:00 in MC544.