CLAS Field Research Grants

Purpose
The purpose of this program is to make it possible for CLAS graduate students to carry out pre-dissertation field research in the Latin American/Caribbean region to: acquire a comprehensive knowledge of language, terrain, and culture; familiarize themselves with information sources relevant to their studies; conduct pilot studies and preliminary investigations; and develop contacts with scholars and institutions in their fields. These grants are NOT to be used for dissertation research. Grant recipients must spend at least one month (28 days) in the field.

Eligibility
CLAS graduate student certificate candidates (both master’s and doctoral) must be making satisfactory progress towards completion of the certificate in Latin American Studies in order to be eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a Graduate Student Progress Report Form by Monday, January 14, 2013. For any question regarding completion of this form, please see the Assistant Director for Academic Affairs, Julian Asenjo (juasenjo@pitt.edu).

Amount of Grant
Maximum of $2,500.

Use of Funds
Grant funds must be used for transportation (international and in-country overseas) and limited field-related expenses. Please note: 75% of the proposed budget should be devoted to transportation expenses. Up to 25% of the total proposed budget may be designated for field-related expenses—including food, accommodations, research materials, health insurance, visas, etc. Purchase of equipment such as computers, cameras, and tape recorders is absolutely prohibited. Field research should take place between April and August.

Deadline
The deadline for submission of all application materials is Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

Grant Requirements
Recipients of CLAS Graduate Student Field Research Grants must spend at least four weeks (28 days) in the field and provide CLAS with a brief (two to four page) report, written in English, within two weeks following the termination of the award. The report should indicate: (1) how grant funds were expended; (2) travel schedule (where you went and how much time you spent in each locale); (3) what was accom¬plished; and (4) how research results will be utilized.

Grant recipients also are responsible for completing all applicable documentation for expenditure of funds required by the University of Pittsburgh as standard policy and procedure. Expense reports must be completed within two weeks after the grant recipient has returned from the field.

Recipients must acknowledge the assistance of the Center for Latin American Studies, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh, and the specific funding agency providing support for the grant in any publication, film, or other product resulting from research supported by this grant. CLAS would appreciate receiving copies of photographs illustrating research activities.

How to apply
For a list of all the eligibility criteria, proposal requirements, advisor letter guidelines, as well as other requirements please refer to the official 2012-2013 CLAS Graduate Field Research Grants Competition announcement. Only one electronic copy of all the application material should be sent by the deadline as instructed in the announcement. Except for the advisor's letter, do not send the required documents separately. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

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