Preparing to Apply

  • Check with your Home Institution (study abroad or academic advisor) for their requirements regarding credit transfer, financial aid, and any other internal summer stipend or scholarships they may offer.

  • Review the IFR Eligibility Criteria to ensure you may participate in our field schools.

  • Read through the Choosing a Program page and contact a staff member at the IFR to help you find the program that will best suite your academic goals and regional interests.

  • Discuss your plans with your support network: family, friends, professors, and mentors.

  • Apply for or renew your passport if you plan to enroll in a non-domestic IFR field school.

Start Your Application Now

How to Apply

Phase 1: Pre-Decision

  • Once you have chosen which field school(s) you wish to apply to, go to the respective program page(s) and click on the green “Apply Now” button. If you wish to apply to more than one field school, you must complete a separate application for each program.
  • Each field school you apply to will require you to complete a short questionnaire.
  • Depending on which field school you are applying to, you may be required to provide a reference, attain a letter of recommendation, or be interviewed by the field school director(s) of the program.
  • Upon completing and submitting all required materials, the field school directors will review your application.

Phase 2: Post-Decision

  • Once admitted to your field school of choice, you must secure your spot! Final acceptance is only contingent upon payment of fees. Admitted students must pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure their spot in their program. Programs will close once they reach capacity – enrollment is secured on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Once you have completed your deposit payment, you have until the last Friday in April to pay the remaining balance of your program tuition (see program page for tuition deadline).
  • You will receive instructions to complete final application forms.

Phase 3: Getting Ready for the Field

  • Six weeks prior to your program you will take part in an online field school orientation.
  • As the summer nears you will get ready for the field, arranging your transportation to the program and purchasing the equipment you will need. A packing list and arrival information will be provided to all enrolled students. Your travel itinerary must be sent to the field school directors prior to your arrival to the program.
  • Then…you begin your field school journey!

Scholarships

Students should take advantage of several scholarships offered by the Institute for Field Research. Students who are admitted to an IFR field school are eligible to apply for an internal IFR scholarship. Please visit the Scholarship page to learn about the application requirements, eligibility criteria, award amounts, and deadlines for each scholarship. Also listed on our scholarship page are links and short descriptions of grants and scholarships available to students from other agencies, foundations, and organizations.

Financial Aid

The IFR is a non-accredited institution and therefore cannot accept federal financial aid on behalf of students. This does not mean getting financial aid to fund your field school experience is impossible. Many universities will approve students to receive aid for their field school, your home institution will just need to be able to accept the funding and disperse it to you. Please consult with a study abroad or financial aid advisor at your institution to determine their requirements and policies for carrying financial aid off campus. For further information, visit our Financial Aid page.