Start a Friends of MSF Chapter

Thank you for your interest in opening a Friends of MSF chapter! MSF teams couldn’t do their lifesaving work without the support of passionate and creative people like you.

To get started, you will need to submit a request to start a chapter through this survey. If approved, you will be asked to fill out a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formally register your chapter with MSF USA. After registration, chapters will be provided with program resources and added to the chapter list on the MSF USA website. 

The program is open to university students including undergraduates, graduates, and medical students. Please note we do not formally recognize high school chapters, but high school students are welcome to form global health or humanitarian clubs that support and amplify MSF's work outside of the Friends of MSF program. 

In most cases, chapter requests will be approved if: 

• Your school is based in the US;
• There isn’t already an active chapter at your university;
• You completed the request form in its entirety, including the final question, “Why are you interested in starting a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Friends of MSF Chapter?” 

To maintain standing in the Friends of MSF program, chapters must:

• Submit a survey at the end of each semester detailing chapter activities and noting any changes in leadership. This survey is provided by MSF USA.
• Send at least one representative per chapter to attend two yearly virtual events: the leadership summit at the beginning of the fall semester, and the closing session in the spring semester.

While we encourage chapters to maintain an active presence and plan dynamic events on campus throughout the year, we do not require chapters to hold a certain number of events, pay dues, or fundraise a certain amount for MSF each year. 

Friends of MSF chapters educate and raise awareness about MSF's medical and humanitarian work on their campuses by holding fundraisers, organizing speaker events, and participating in MSF USA’s advocacy programming. Chapters are also welcome to volunteer with local organizations that are in line with MSF’s mission.  

For further inspiration, we recommend prospective chapter members explore Friends of MSF social media accounts to see what sort of activities are being coordinated by chapters! You can find these social media pages on the chapter list. 

It’s great that you’re interested in supporting MSF’s international work! Many students in this program are interested in careers in the humanitarian field, and opening a Friends of MSF club is their first step. Joining the Friends of MSF program can allow students to connect with aid workers and attend recruitment webinars.

However, international job opportunities at MSF are reserved for professionals with at least two years of relevant work experience. Because of this, international work is not open to students. You can read more about job requirements for international roles on this page. You can also consider working in the MSF USA office through an internship or other role. Explore job openings here.