Important application and program information
The deadline to apply for the Winter 2027 MEAFSS program is May 20th, 2026. Applications are assessed on a first come first serve basis.
The program is capped at 38 students. Only current undergraduate students can participate in the program. Selection to the program is based on academic performance and character references. Students must be willing and able to cooperate in groups. Selection may also reflect the program's goal of having a balanced interdisciplinary student body.
We develop the MEAFSS program each year with the assumption that students will visit Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. However, to ensure safety, travel advisories relating to health or political circumstances are always assessed in each country pre-departure. As such, changes in the itinerary are possible.
How to apply
If you are currently registered as a McGill student, include all of the required components listed below with your MEAFSS application:
- Complete the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester application form.
- Upload your Letter of Intent here (PDF format only; maximum 2 pages). See Note 1 below for details.
- Upload your C.V. here (French or English; PDF format only; maximum 2 pages).
- Upload your Unofficial or Official McGill Transcript here (PDF format only).
- Instruct your referee to send a Letter of Reference (PDF format only; maximum 2 pages) to our office email address (ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca). See Note 2 below for details.
We will not review your application until we have received all the above listed required items.
If you are a Non-McGill student, you must apply for admission to McGill if you are accepted to the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester (MEAFSS) Program. Please note that you will need to pay the program fee, and the Quebec/Canadian or International tuition according to your profile. Detailed instructions will be sent to you via email. You must be registered in a degree program at your home university and have completed at least two semesters of study to be eligible.
To apply to the MEAFSS Program, follow these steps:
- Contact our office (ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca) expressing your interest in applying to the program. We will send you an application form to complete.
- Upload your Letter of Intent here (PDF format only; maximum 2 pages). See Note 1 below for details.
- Upload your C.V. here (French or English; PDF format only; maximum 2 pages).
- Upload your Unofficial or Official McGill Transcript here (PDF format only).
- Instruct your referee to send a Letter of Reference (PDF format only; maximum 2 pages) to our office email address (ifso.science [at] mcgill.ca). See Note 2 below for details.
- Send us your Letter of Permission. See Note 3 below for details.
We will not review your application until we have received all the above listed required items.
Notes
1. Letter of Intent: The letter of Intent should include a description of any experience relevant to field skills. Such experiences may include: camping, leadership, travel, group living, outdoor sports, scouting, participation in camps, etc. These can be in he form of work, leisure or hobby pursuits. The letter should also include a description of how the program would contribute to your education and career aspirations.
2. Reference letter: This is intended to reflect not simply your academic ability, which we can largely deduce from your transcript, but also your referee's assessment of your suitability for a program that requires you to live in close proximity with other students, in isolated and sometimes difficult conditions, over an extended period of time. The reference letter may be from personal, academic, or professional sources. Letters must be signed and must come directly from the referee's valid email address. Letters from friends and family members are not recommended.
3. Letter of Permission: You will require a Letter of Permission from your educational institution to participate in the McGill East Africa Field Study Semester (only for non-McGill students).
