Center for Latin American Studies

The Center for Latin American Studies encourages MA candidates to pursue summer travel experiences in Latin America. In summer 2012, 27 students received funding for research, internship support, and study in ten different countries.  CLAS' commitment to study abroad is evident through their generous financial support--nearly 80% of all applicants (for travel grants, study programs, and internships) received awards in 2012.

The program provides a number of grant and award options to fit the diverse goals of our students. In the past, MA candidates have pursued international internships, enrolled in summer language programs, designed their own research, or applied for one of our endowed grants.

Country Programs

Currently, the program offers graduate summer programs in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, and encourages undergraduate study in Ecuador and Argentina.  Most students receive financial aid to attend these summer institutes--in 2012 nearly all applicants received some form of aid.

The programs typically have a strong independent study component, which allows MA students the latitude to tailor these language and culture programs to their existing interests.  Click on the links above to learn more about the individual programs, and apply now!

Internships

MA students have the opportunity to apply for internship funding to support unpaid and minimally-paid internships in the United States and in Latin America.  The guidelines allow for students to propose and pursue their own internships, tailoring their international experiences to better suit their interests and aspirations. Click here to apply for the 2013 internship grants by April 8, 2013.

Travel Research Grants

Students may also choose to apply for travel research grants.  In 2012, CLAS students received funding to research political participation in Brazil, impacts of tourism in Colombia, the Guelaguetza festival in Mexico, Oil and Revolution in Cuba, and narratives of identity in Peru, to name a few.   Click here to apply for a 2013 summer research travel grant by April 8, 2013.

Humanitarian Grants

In addition to the grants listed above, the Center offers two specialized humanitarian grants.  These grants offer students in the CLAS program the opportunity to pursue unpaid humanitarian internships abroad. 

The Improving the Human Condition Grant supports unpaid humanitarian internships. Normally, these are unpaid overseas internships in the field; however, other applications can be considered. Funding covers travel and living expenses. Find the 2013 application here.

The Sergio de Mello Grant, named for the humanitarian who lost his life when the UN facility was bombed in Baghdad, supports students working in the field of humanitarian affairs/disaster assistance. Funding covers travel and living expenses. Find the 2013 application here.