• The theoretical part of the main specialization (the A-courses) should be completed before the departure. The MFS assignment should also have a specified connection with the applicant's main study focus and should be approved by the supervisor as a degree project.
  
  
• The student must not have previously held a scholarship or a position in the field related to development issues. Other relevant experience, such as studies or a stay in a developing country, will not affect the application.
  
  
• The applicant must be a Swedish citizen or have been registered in Sweden for at least one year at the time of application.
  
  
• The student should have good knowledge of English. In cases where the official language of the host country is French, Spanish or Portuguese, applicants must have studied the language as a C language at upper secondary level (or equivalent).

Agenda 2030 and the Swedish Government's Aid Reform Agenda

• The field study must relate to one of the 17 global goals for sustainable development and Agenda 2030, as well as to the seven thematic priorities that the government has established for Swedish development cooperation.
  
  
• The field studies must be carried out in a country where Sweden conducts development cooperation and in line with one or more strategies of relevance to Sida in the host country in question (read more here).
  
  
• Eligible countries are those countries where bilateral, regional or thematic strategies are implemented within ongoing Swedish international development cooperation.
  
  
• International Aid Strategies links:

1. https://www.regeringen.se/strategier-for-internationellt-bistand/?page=3How
   
   
2. https://openaid.se/find-aid/strategies
   
   
3. https://www.sida.se/om-sida/sa-styrs-sida

• Students must research the country or regional strategy carefully to understand the priority areas set out for the country or region. The project must be within the priority areas set out in the strategies for the country or region.

In December 2023, the government published a reform agenda for aid that sets out the new direction for Swedish development cooperation and establishes seven thematic priorities:

Issues related, for example, to eradicating poverty and hunger, realizing human rights for all, achieving gender equality, ensuring the protection of the planet and its resources, education, economic growth and productive employment, sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure, and sustainable cities and communities.

The application will be open June 16 - August 15, 2025 for students writing their thesis in Fall 2025. The travel scholarship amount is SEK 35,000, and the eight weeks must be completed by January 31, 2026 for thesis writing in the fall.

• Application deadline: August 15, 2025 for those writing their thesis in Fall 2025
  
  
• A second application for those writing their thesis in Spring 2026 will open on October 6, 2025 with the deadline on December 8, 2025.

A complete application should be written in English and include: 

1. Completed form (Application Cover Sheet for the Minor Field Study (MFS) Program)
2. Project plan including budget
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Certified list of completed courses with grades
5.  

1. Application form

The mission must be carried out in a developing country and at least eight weeks must be spent in the field. 

The MFS assignment requires the participation of a supervisor in the country of assignment. He or she can be a Sida-employed project supervisor, a representative of a developing country authority, a locally active researcher / university teacher, contact person at the organization you are going to work through or similar. The supervisor must be prepared to help with practical tasks in the field such as acquiring housing, solving transport issues, getting in touch with authorities, etc. This is the sole responsibility of the fellow and the supervisor. 

Please note that the SSE cannot assist in finding the supervisor in the developing country. The applicant must find one through their own contacts. However, SSE can assist with advice. 

2. Project plan 

• Selection of a valid country – check this page for the current list. Eligible countries are those countries where bilateral, regional or thematic strategies are implemented within ongoing Swedish international development cooperation.

• Date of fieldwork of at least eight weeks of continuous stay, note that an MFS pre-departure session is mandatory before departure.
  
  
• Information at the applicant's higher education institution and contact person in the project country.
  
  
• Project description, 3-6 pages:
  
  - Purpose and description of the issue/topic to be studied, including its development relevance to the UN Agenda 2030 and Government’s new reform agenda for development assistance, including bilateral, regional and thematic strategies related to Sida.
  - Subject-specific theory connection and relevant literature in development research
  - Question(s)
  - Methods of data collection, processing, and analysis
  - Proposal for an alternative approach that presents the most critical part of the planned thesis and how the applicant intends to handle this
  - Budget 

3. Budget 

The scholarship consists of a lump sum of SEK 35,000 and is the same size regardless of the nature and location of the project. It is paid before departure and is intended to cover travel, visas, vaccinations, etc., and is only a contribution to covering the additional costs of subsistence during the stay in the period of travel. In order to be able to make a reasonable assessment of the applicant's ability to carry out the project, the application must therefore also include a budget. The following items shall be considered: 

• Travel with the cheapest mode of transport to and from the country where the field stay will be carried out 
  
  
• Part of living expenses (basis for calculation: daily allowance amounting to a maximum of 50% of the current state daily allowance)
• Any necessary travel within the country/region
  
  
• Vaccinations
  
  
• Possible costs of equipment
  
  
• Travel to and from preparation course, cheapest option  

If you have any questions, please contact us at: scholarships@hhs.se 

Applications should be sent to Elizabeth Briggs, Education Office, Stockholm School of Economics, Box 6501, 113 83 Stockholm or scholarships@hhs.se