The School for Field Studies

What The School for Field Studies does

The School for Field Studies (SFS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in West Boxford, Massachusetts, that delivers field-based environmental study abroad programs to college and university students. SFS operates 12 dedicated field research centers across 12 countries on six continents (Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Turks and Caicos), each anchored by a multi-year strategic research plan and staffed by PhD-holding Center Directors. Programs are offered as 14-15 week semesters earning 16-18 credits and 4-6 week summer sessions earning 4-8 credits, with academic credit issued through the University of Minnesota, which serves as the official School of Record. Each program combines interdisciplinary coursework, faculty-directed field research (100+ hours per semester in the Directed Research course), and community engagement with local partners including indigenous communities, government agencies, and NGOs.

SFS generates revenue primarily through tuition and program fees, with semester total costs ranging from approximately $24,000 to $31,950 and summer programs from approximately $6,700 to $11,500 depending on location. A secondary, recurring revenue stream comes from charitable donations via the organization's 501(c)(3) status, including the Cummings Foundation Sustaining Grants program, alumni giving, and corporate matching gifts. SFS awards over $650,000 in need-based financial aid annually and matches Federal Pell Grant funding, broadening access. Distribution is hybrid: students apply directly through SFS's website portal, and recruitment is amplified through study abroad and faculty advisors at more than 350 U.S. colleges and universities, including Ivy League and community college institutions. The organization employs 51-100 staff and faculty across its centers and headquarters.

SFS has built an alumni base of more than 20,000 graduates who have pursued careers in STEM, business, government, academia, and environmental NGOs. The organization maintains active social media and content channels (Instagram, Vimeo, LinkedIn, Facebook, blog) and operates an Alumni Ambassador program for peer-to-peer recruitment. In January 2025, SFS announced Katlyn Armstrong as President-Elect succeeding the retiring President, marking a top-level leadership transition. SFS does not disclose revenue figures and operates with no disclosed parent company, private equity, or venture capital ownership.

Name

The School for Field Studies

Legal name

The School for Field Studies

Website

https://fieldstudies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The School for Field Studies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that delivers field-based environmental study abroad programs to college students across 12 research centers on six continents, with academic credit issued through the University of Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Study Abroad Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.) (EDAIAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Experiential & Field-Based Study Abroad (Research, Field Schools, Practicums) (EDAIAAAD), University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA)

Keywords

• Environmental study abroad
• Field-based research programs
• Conservation education
• Study abroad programs
• Experiential environmental learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: The primary revenue stream comes from tuition and program fees charged to students for semester and summer study abroad programs. Tuition ranges from approximately $18,000 to $24,000 per semester, with room and board ranging from $6,000 to $8,000, depending on the program location. Summer programs are priced at $4,950 to $7,500 for tuition plus $1,750 to $4,000 for room and board.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Giving: SFS is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution that relies on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate matching gift programs. The Cummings Foundation includes SFS in its Sustaining Grants program. Donations support need-based financial aid and general operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The School for Field Studies delivers immersive, field-based study abroad programs in environmental science and conservation at 12 dedicated field research centers across 12 countries and 6 continents. Programs combine interdisciplinary academic coursework, faculty-directed original research, and community engagement, awarding transferable college credit through the University of Minnesota (School of Record). Offerings include semester (15-week, 16-18 credit) and summer (4-6 week) programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

Product overview

The School for Field Studies (SFS) offers field-based study abroad programs focused on environmental studies and conservation. The organization operates 12 field research centers across 4 continents: Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Turks and Caicos. SFS provides two main program types: semester programs (14-15 weeks, 16-18 credits) and summer sessions (4-6 weeks, 4-8 credits). Each center offers specialized programs examining local environmental issues through interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on field research, and community engagement. Students earn academic credit through the University of Minnesota (School of Record) while conducting directed research projects. The programs emphasize experiential learning in diverse ecosystems from rainforests to coral reefs, glaciers to savannas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Australia - Center for Rainforest Studies Environmental study abroad program based in Queensland, Australia, focusing on rainforest conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the connection between rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef; for undergraduate and graduate students seeking hands-on environmental field research.
• Bhutan - Center for Climate and Sustainable Futures Himalayan-based program in Paro, Bhutan, examining the intersection of conservation and culture through the lens of Gross National Happiness; for students interested in mountain biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable forestry.
• Cambodia - Center for Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies Program in Siem Reap, Cambodia, examining environmental justice, biodiversity conservation, and Mekong ecology; for students seeking immersion in Southeast Asian freshwater and forest ecosystems.
• Chile - Center for Climate Studies Patagonia-based program in Puerto Natales exploring climate change impacts on glaciers, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods; for students interested in climate science and Patagonian ecosystems.
• Costa Rica - Center for Ecological Resilience Studies Program exploring tropical ecology, conservation biology, and sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica's diverse ecosystems; for students interested in tropical biodiversity and sustainable food systems.
• Croatia - Center for Conservation of Marine Megafauna Marine conservation program in the Adriatic Sea studying cetaceans and sea turtles through partnership with the Blue World Institute; for students pursuing marine biology and conservation research.
• Italy - Center for Sustainable Food Systems Tuscany-based program examining sustainable food systems, agroecology, and traditional agricultural practices; for students interested in food systems, farming, and rewilding.
• Kenya - Center for Endangered Species Conservation Wildlife conservation program at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro studying endangered species, human-wildlife conflict, and community-based conservation; for students interested in African wildlife and conservation biology.
• Panama - Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies Marine and coastal ecosystems program in the Bocas del Toro archipelago studying coral reefs, mangroves, and sustainable tourism; for students interested in tropical island ecology and biodiversity.
• Peru - Center for Amazon Studies Amazon rainforest program in Tarapoto studying biodiversity, climate change, and indigenous community conservation; for students interested in Amazonian ecology and traditional medicine.
• Tanzania - Center for Wildlife Management Studies

Quantifiable outcome

• 95.8% of SFS students rate the program favorably (Go Overseas rating)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of MinnesotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Minnesota serves as the official School of Record for SFS, providing academic oversight and transcript processing for all students. It reviews SFS program curricula and quality, and provides formal program reviews and academic accreditation support.
• Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation (BWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWI is the formal partner for the SFS Center for Conservation of Marine Megafauna in Croatia. Founded in 2000, BWI works on the Adriatic Sea studying cetaceans and sea turtles. In 2003, BWI constructed the Lošinj marine education center, and in 2013 opened the Sunny Bay turtle rescue center. SFS and BWI jointly deliver the boat-based research program.
• City of Knowledge Foundation (Ciudad del Saber)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated near Panama's city center and across from the Panama Canal, the City of Knowledge is a 120-hectare innovation campus. SFS partners with Ciudad del Saber in Panama for collaborative initiatives, with entrepreneurs, scientists, and NGOs working together on social change projects.
• Maasai, Iraqw, and Hadzabe Indigenous CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFS programs in Tanzania engage directly with Maasai, Iraqw, and Hadzabe tribal communities for field research and community-based conservation studies. Students participate in homestays and community projects with these groups.
• UWICER and Bhutan Ecological Society (BES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn Bhutan, SFS collaborates with UWICER (Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research) and BES on research priorities including mountain biodiversity, climate change, sustainable forestry, water resources, and public policy.
• Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFS Cambodia collaborates with PUC, where Cambodian students participate alongside SFS international students in program activities, fostering cross-cultural academic exchange.
• Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn Australia, SFS works with the Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous people on rainforest restoration and management projects, integrating Indigenous knowledge into conservation research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest nonprofit study abroad providers with dedicated environmental and sustainability programs at multiple global sites. Directly comparable scale, structure, and institutional partnership model.
• Semester at Sea: Semester at Sea delivers credit-bearing experiential study abroad at global scale with academic partnerships (multiple U.S. universities serve as School of Record). Comparable credit-transfer mechanism and immersive, multi-country model.
• SIT Study Abroad: SIT (part of World Learning) is the closest direct peer — a nonprofit offering field-based, experiential study abroad programs globally, including dedicated environmental and sustainability tracks with credit-bearing semesters and strong research components. Comparable in mission, academic rigor, and target student demographic.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a nonprofit study abroad organization offering semester and summer programs with environmental science options across multiple countries. Overlapping customer base of U.S. undergraduates and similar academic-credit infrastructure.
• DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia: DIS provides semester study abroad with strong sustainability and environmental science programs. Similar credit-transfer model and tuition band; comparable target segment of U.S. undergraduates.
• International Studies Abroad (ISA): ISA offers semester and short-term study abroad programs with environmental studies tracks across global sites. Comparable tuition level, U.S. university partnerships, and credit portability.
• School for International Training (World Learning): World Learning operates SIT and offers experiential, credit-bearing study abroad with thematic programs including environmental studies. Same nonprofit structure, similar credit-transfer mechanism, and overlapping field-research orientation.

Emerging players

• Earthwatch Institute: Earthwatch runs short-duration, field-based conservation expeditions led by scientists, with a pay-to-participate research model. Smaller and shorter program lengths than SFS but overlaps on field-research orientation and conservation focus.
• Round River Conservation Studies: Round River offers field-based, conservation-focused study abroad with original research projects at sites in the Americas and Africa. Highly aligned mission and pedagogy with SFS but smaller scale.
• School of International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute: SIT Graduate Institute offers master's degrees with field-research components including environmental policy. Represents a potential adjacent growth segment (graduate learners) for SFS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user64861532
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheSFS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/edu/the-school-for-field-studies-160004
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesfs
• Xx.com/thesfs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The School for Field Studies