I was accepted to the ____ program this year, but due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I see that the field school is cancelled. Will the same field school be available for 2021?
The IFR is working with all current field school directors to have their programs running in 2021. Each year, some programs take time off to write publications or change research strategy. The COVID-19 pandemic will likely have a significant economic impact across the world so we anticipate challenges to some of our partners. It is difficult to have an accurate answer at this time, but we think we will be able to run 90% of all our current programs and likely some new ones.
I applied for a field school for summer 2020. Will I need to apply again if I wish to attend any IFR 2021 programs?
It depends. Students who paid deposit or tuition and decided to defer enrollment to 2021 programs do not need to re-apply if they plan to attend the same program. You will automatically be accepted to your program of choice if it runs in 2021. If instead you wish to attend a program different from your original choice, re-application may be required but you will be a “priority student” — you will be the first in line for acceptance to that program.
Will IFR be awarding scholarships for the 2020 year?
No scholarships will be awarded for the 2020 season. IFR scholarships fund a portion of tuition only and have no cash value. Given that there will be no programs in 2020, there will be no way to use scholarships. The IFR is working hard on increasing funding available for students in 2021 and we hope to offer a broad range and larger number of scholarships for that season.
I applied for the ____ scholarship and this year is my last year of eligibility to qualify. Will I still be able to get that scholarship next year?
Yes. We will modify eligibility criteria to ensure no student will be denied the ability to apply due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
What does “Priority Placement” mean?
Priority placement will be given to any student who defers their payment(s) from their Summer, 2020 field school. Students who defer will have a guaranteed space in the 2020 field school to which they were accepted if it runs again in 2021. If the original program does not run in 2021, or if the student elects to attend a different program, this student’s application to any other 2021 IFR field school will be the first in line to be reviewed and admitted to their program of choice — the student will have the first opportunity to secure their spot in the 2021 field school.
Say I decide to leave my deposit with the IFR for the 2021 field school but decide not to participate in the program once applications reopen. Would it be possible to receive a refund on my initial deposit?
The IFR is grateful for students who choose to defer their 2020 payment(s). It allows us to keep on supporting scholars and projects across the world. Once a student elects to defer payment, the normal IFR Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy applies.