Research Award Program

Valparaíso, Chile - photo by Drew Friedmann '05
Established in 2000 by the Latin American Studies Committee, and funded by the office of the Dean for Academic Affairs, the LAS Research Award Program supports student research in Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean, or on Latinos and Latinas in the United States. The awards are intended to increase understanding and awareness of the region among sophomores and juniors majoring in any academic discipline.
The on-site research can be conducted during the summer months, between semesters, or to extend off-campus study experiences. Up to $5000 will be awarded, which includes a $400 weekly honorarium for a maximum of 8 weeks, and up to $1800 in Travel and Research funds.
Criteria. Awards are made on the basis of the quality and feasibility of the project described in the narrative proposal, the project's relevance to the student's educational program, the applicant’s preparation to carry out the project (including competence in the language spoken in the target country), the applicant’s academic record, and the faculty mentor’s recommendation. A subcommittee from the Latin American Studies Program reviews applications every spring.
Requirements of award recipients. Applicants are expected to develop proposals in consultation with a faculty mentor who agrees to supervise a subsequent independent study. Recipients will, upon their return, write a 2-4 page report summarizing their experience and the results of their research. During the following semester, their research must be used as the basis to conduct an independent study or honors project under the direction of a faculty member.
Note that recipients using human or animal subjects must show Institutional Review Board approval of the project’s research methods before funds will be released.
Students who do not complete outlined work should contact the department chair to discuss what portion of the award should be returned. Students who fail to submit a report detailing the work they did, and/or fail enroll in an Independent Study are expected to return their award. Failure to handle money, receipts, and reports appropriately may impact the student’s ability to receive future funding from the college.
All of the above items must be included with your application. The application packet can be downloaded here. All documents can be e-mailed or delivered to Jean Harrison (103 Edward Pols House). The application deadline is 5:00 pm, April 2, 2018.
Questions can be directed to Nadia Celis, Director of Latin American Studies.