CLAS Graduate Student Field Research Grants

 DEADLINE: March 17, 2025

Purpose

This program makes it possible for CLAS certificate graduate students to carry out pre-dissertation field research on Latin American/Caribbean/Latinx issues to: acquire more comprehensive knowledge of language, terrain, and/or culture in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latinx, familiarize themselves with information sources relevant to their course of study; conduct pilot studies and preliminary research; and develop contacts with scholars and institutions in their fields.

These grants are NOT to be used for dissertation research.

They Applicants must also understand and abide by the requirements for graduate student travel listed here: https://globalexperiences.pitt.edu/studenttravelguidelines.

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Eligibility

CLAS graduate student certificate candidates (both master and doctoral level) making satisfactory progress towards completion of the certificate in Latin American Studies may apply.

• For first-time applicants, satisfactory progress is defined as having completed two area studies courses towards the certificate in Latin American Studies—at least one of which must be outside the student’s department/school—during the first academic year in which the applicant is enrolled in CLAS.
• CLAS graduate student certificate candidates are eligible to receive a maximum of two field research grants from CLAS during their tenure as students at the University of Pittsburgh. Continued satisfactory progress towards completion of the certificate applies for students proposing to receive a second grant.
• Continued progress is defined as the completion of two additional courses (one inside and one outside your home department/school) per academic year applicable toward the certificate. Check with the CLAS Advisor for eligibility regarding progress towards the certificate.

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Amount of Grant

Maximum of $2,800.

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Grant Requirements and Use of Funds

Field and/or remote research should take place between April and August 2025.

FIELD RESEARCH (when travel is allowed)

CLAS expects no less than 75% of grant funds to be primarily used for transportation (international and in-country overseas) and limited field-related expenses. Up to 25% of the total proposed budget may be designated for field research-related expenses—including food, accommodations, research materials, health insurance, visas, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: Purchase of equipment such as computers, cameras, and tape recorders is absolutely prohibited.

Recipients of CLAS Graduate Student Field Research Grants must spend at least four weeks (28 days) in the field.

REMOTE FIELD RESEARCH (when travel is not allowed)

CLAS expects grant funds to be used for research materials, and remote research assistants (residing in area/country abroad), with adequate explanation of research objectives, methodology, expected results and rationale as well as all requisite financial information and support (documentation, receipts, transfers and explanation).

PLEASE NOTE: Purchase of equipment such as computers, cameras, and tape recorders is absolutely prohibited.

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Proposal Requirements: 

All applications must be submitted in English and include:

1. The completed Graduate Certificate Progress Report is no longer required to apply. Even thought applicants do not submit the progress report you should meet with the CLAS Academic Advisor, Ana Paula Carvalho. To set up an appointment with Ana Paula, please visit: http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/advising. This has to be done before applying for the grant, see below for instructions.
2. A full description of the project not to exceed four (4) double-spaced pages as follows—(a) Topic/Problem, (b) Significance of/Need for the Research, and (c) Methodology/Tools;
3. A detailed budget (at least 75% must be for transportation);
4. Specific travel plans (Please read Important Information about travel and IRB requirements—bottom of page.) NOTE: We highly recommend having a plan that can be applied if you need to do research virtually or cannot travel.
5. An up-to-date University of Pittsburgh transcript, along with a copy of your current registration;
6. A Letter of Project Appraisal from your Project Academic Advisor (to be submitted by advisor to Luis G Van Fossen Bravo - bravo@pitt.edu); We highly recommend having a plan that includes contingencies should you need to do research virtually because of applicable travel restrictions.
7. To submit your application go to the application form
8. You may be asked to participate in the Latin American Social and Public Policy (LASPP) Conference during the Spring of the academic year you applied for. Take this into account when writing your report (taking this into account will save time and effort later).

Note: The full description of the project may be supplemented by appendices (such as examples of questionnaires, a list of field contacts, and more detailed information on any of the sections) that should be referred to in the basic text. However, appendices should be kept to a minimum.

BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF CIRCUMSTANCES STEMMING FROM THE GLOBAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND HAVING A VIABLE CONTINGENCY PLAN THAT CAN BE ADAPTED TO NATIONAL, STATE, LOCAL AND PITT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS SHOULD YOU NEED TO DO RESEARCH VIRTUALLY.

The proposal must be written in English in terms understandable to scholars who are not specialists in your specific discipline or field. Because of the small size of the selection committee, not all disciplines/professions are represented by the committee members. Thus, selection committee members may not be familiar with technical terminology or jargon from your discipline.

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Letter of Project Appraisal from Project Academic Advisor

Proposals must have, as supporting documentation, a letter appraising the project from the applicant’s project academic advisor. The selection committee will not review proposals without the project academic advisor’s appraisal. The appraisal should include comments both on methodology and language ability as well as a general evaluation and should be no more than one page in length. NOTE: We highly recommend having a plan that can be applicable if you need to do research virtually or can travel.

For second Field Research Grant applicants: Students who have previously been awarded a field research grant and are applying for a second grant must clearly justify the need for a second grant in the text of the proposal. These students also should ask the faculty member writing the Letter of Project Appraisal to address this need in her/his letter.

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AFTER RESEARCH IS COMPLETED

All Graduate Student Field Research Grant Recipients must provide CLAS with a brief (two to four page) report, written in English, within two weeks following the conclusion of the award. The report should indicate: (1) how grant funds were expended; (2) travel schedule (where you or your representative/research assistant(s) went and how much time was spent in each locale); (3) what was accomplished; and (4) how research results will be utilized; (5) Selected students will present a paper at the Latin American Social and Public Policy Conference (LASPP) after the research is completed.

Grant recipients are responsible for completing all applicable documentation for the expenditure of funds required by the University of Pittsburgh as standard policy and procedure. Expense reports must be submitted within three weeks after the field research is completed. CLAS will offer (compulsory) training meetings before students start their research.

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 encourages the submission of photographs illustrating research activities.

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Important information about travel and IRB requirements:

Application:

One electronic copy (items 1 through 6 listed above) of the application should be sent by the deadline through the following web address: the application form

The letter of Project Appraisal from the Project Academic Advisor should be sent separately to the email below by the advisor:

Luis Van Fossen Bravo
Associate Director
email: bravo@pitt.edu