BHF-IFR Program for the Balkans
In 2015, Balkan Heritage Foundation (BHF), Bulgaria, and the Institute for Field Research (IFR), USA started a strategic partnership and created the BHF-IFR Program for the Balkans. Thanks to this Program students can earn up to 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter units). These credit units are awarded by the IFR's academic partner – Connecticut College, USA. These projects are subject to the intensive peer-review process conducted annually by the IFR Board of Directors – comprised of distinguished archaeologists from universities across the world.
For the 2026 season, the BHF-IFR Program for the Balkans will include the following two to four-week project sessions:
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1. ANCIENT GREEKS IN THE LAND OF DIONYSOS - EXCAVATION OF EMPORION PISTIROS (Bulgaria) FOUR-WEEK SESSION / 8 CREDIT UNITS - Archaeological field school at the Ancient Greek emporion Pistiros in Ancient Thrace. Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
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2. STOBI (THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA) EXCAVATION FOUR-WEEK SESSION/ 8 CREDIT UNITS - Archaeological field school and dig at Stobi - the capital city of Macedonia Secunda dating to the Hellenistic and Roman Period and Late Antiquity (Republic of North Macedonia). Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
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3.
UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY IN MALTA THREE WEEK SESSION/ 6 CREDIT UNITS - Underwater archaeology field school, underwater excavations & marine geophysical survey. Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
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UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE BLACK SEA THREE WEEK SESSION/ 6 CREDIT UNITS - Archaeology field school along with underwater excavations & marine geophysical survey submerged fortification walls of the ancient (Thracian, ancient Greek & Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian) city of Mesambria, present day Nessebar, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
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WORKSHOP FOR ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES TWO-WEEK SESSION / 4 CREDIT UNITS - Field school in architectural conservation of archaeological remains. The variety of activities and the team's professionalism and flexibility make this project suitable for both beginners and advanced students in architecture, Roman, Late Roman and Medieval archaeology and conservation. Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
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6.
WORKSHOPS FOR CONSERVATION OF ROMAN & LATE ROMAN POTTERY TWO-WEEK SESSION / 4 CREDIT UNITS - Conservation of Roman & Late Roman pottery at the Roman city of Stobi in Republic of North Macedonia. Please see the field school description on the IFR website. |
Students interested attending any of these field school sessions and benefiting from the Program’s advantages: 4/8 US semester credit units (equivalent to 6/12 quarter units), eligibility to apply for the Program's and IFR's scholarships, comprehensive health and evacuation insurance, and US-based customer service, should apply through IFR.
All applicants to the Balkan Heritage Field School who don’t need academic credit units or attend an European university/college and would like to obtain European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit units awarded by the New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria) should enroll directly through the Balkan Heritage Field School.