Mongolia Field School Frequently Asked Questions
When will I be notified about my application results?
Applications are reviewed in three cycles following respective deadlines on February 20, March 20, and May 1. Applicants will hear about their admission status no more than four weeks after the deadline by which they apply. For example, applicants who apply before February 20 will hear by March 20, and applicants who apply by March 20 will hear by April 17. Because our deposit payment deadline is May 1, applicants who plan to self-fund must apply by April 17, and will hear back about their status by April 24.
Applications for 2026 are open, so click here to apply now!
Is it possible to apply for two courses in the program? How can I do that?
We encourage interested applicants to take two courses as long as the dates do not overlap. For example, you can take a course scheduled for June 9-22, and then enroll in a subsequent course that is scheduled to run June 28-July 12 or even July 21-August 3. However, if two courses are scheduled for the same time period, or one begins before another ends, you must choose one and cannot take them both at the same time since all participants are required to attend all Field School excursions, activities, and site visits. You do not need to re-submit any documents or fill out another form to apply to a second course. Simply choose both courses on your application form and describe your interest in each in your Statement of Intent.
Is there any price discount if I take two classes?
Tuition fees for both courses will remain as posted. You can apply for fellowships for every program you apply for, but we cannot guarantee you will receive the same amount for each course. However, we try to provide multi-course discounts of $500 off each additional course for participants who wish to enroll in more than one, regardless of their fellowship status.
Does ACMS offer academic credit for participation in the Mongolia Field School?
ACMS is unable to directly offer program participants academic credit for their participation in the Mongolia Field School. Students who wish to receive academic credit for their participation can work with their home or other academic institutions to ensure that the course(s) they take meets that institution's requirements for granting academic credit. ACMS can provide course syllabi, information on assessment, and other materials to assist students who are seeking academic credit.
What is covered by tuition?
Tuition covers all in-country instructional costs, including housing, transportation, and most meals during the program. You will be responsible for your travel to and from Mongolia, your accommodations before and after the Field School, and some meals and incidental expenses during the Field School course.
If I am accepted for a fellowship, can I request additional funding based on a special personal circumstance?
In general, fellowship award amounts are final. If you require additional funding in order to participate in the Field School, we encourage you to apply for scholarships, grants, or fellowships from your home institution, if applicable, or from other external funding sources. ACMS can work with you to support applications to other funding sources, and on an exceptional basis will consider special requests from participants with extenuating circumstances.
What is the tuition refund policy?
If the program is canceled due to travel restrictions related to health or political situations, all participants will receive a full tuition refund. Program participants who have paid the tuition fee but are unable to attend for personal reasons must notify ACMS at least 30 days prior to the start date of their program to be eligible to receive a tuition refund, minus a non-refundable deposit of $500 per course. Program participants who withdraw fewer than 30 days prior to their program's start date are eligible for a partial tuition refund minus the non-refundable deposit of $500 per course. Program participants who withdraw or are asked to leave the program after the start date are not eligible for a tuition refund.
Does the program tuition cover participant medical and evacuation insurance?
All participants will be responsible for securing their own medical and evacuation insurance coverage policies for the duration of their stay in Mongolia. Proof of travel and evacuation insurance coverage is required for all program participants. Program participants assume all responsibility, financially and otherwise, for costs associated with any illness or injury that may occur during the course of the field school, including the costs of medical care and evacuation. ACMS will provide support for individuals and assist them in locating and accessing appropriate medical care, but is not responsible for covering the costs of care received or any transportation or other extraordinary expenses incurred.
Do I need a Covid-19 vaccination before traveling to Mongolia?
Mongolia has lifted all the travel restrictions. However, we encourage you to be vaccinated.
- No PCR or rapid test results required to enter Mongolia.
- No quarantine or self-isolation.
- Free vaccinations and treatments for all.
Please consult the U.S. Department of State Country Information Page for Mongolia to find the most up-to-date travel advisories, health and immunization recommendations, and other requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to Mongolia.
Can you accommodate food allergies or special dietary requirements?
Participants with dietary restrictions acknowledge that food options in Mongolia are limited, especially when traveling outside of Ulaanbaatar, and it may not be possible to accommodate all requests. ACMS will do everything possible to accommodate all requests, but participants with rigid restrictions are encouraged to plan ahead and bring their own supplemental food and snacks for emergency situations.
Does ACMS provide airport transfer service?
The ACMS office in Ulaanbaatar can arrange pick up service from the Ulaanbaatar airport. This is an additional service not covered by Mongolia Field School tuition. Please contact our office by email at mfs@mongoliacenter.org for more information on pricing and to coordinate arrival and departure timing. Visit our Travel Assistance page for more details.
What information is available about accommodation for the Field School? Can I have my own single room? Can I stay additional nights before or after the Field School term?
Field School tuition covers accommodation in a twin room during the program. Requests for single rooms can be accommodated for an additional cost.
Will there be free Internet available during my stay in Mongolia?
Free Wi-Fi is available in all hotels and some restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. Outside the city, 3G or 4G cellular data is available throughout most of the countryside. We recommend you purchase a local SIM card upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar. This is the cheapest way to use your phone and will allow you to access cellular data, send text messages, and make local calls. If you need to make international calls, you can do so for a low fee using your Mongolian SIM card, but we recommend using whichever third-party communications app or social media platform you prefer. We can help arrange and activate a prepaid SIM card for you before your arrival at your request.