Tinker Field Research Grants are awarded by the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies to American University master's or doctoral level students to support preliminary field research in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Latin American and Caribbean countries (excluding Puerto Rico). Grants are intended to provide graduate students with the opportunity to develop independent research projects and conduct hands-on field research for the first time. Funding can only be allocated to support exploratory work that will inform preparation of a PhD dissertation, a Master’s thesis or a substantial research paper. The awards are not intended for advanced dissertation research. Tinker grants cover primarily travel expenses for short (two weeks to four months) periods of investigation in Latin America. Priority is given to PhD candidates, but grants will be allocated to students pursuing other graduate degrees.
We are pleased to announce that the Tinker Foundation has renewed support for CLALS to administer the 2013 competition. The seven 2013 recipients were announced in April.
Application Instructions
To apply, please prepare the following:- The application cover sheet
- A 1500-word (maximum) summary of the project, including the empirical issue(s) to be studied and its significance; the theoretical background to the research; an outline of key sources to be consulted; and an explanation for the choice of field site(s) and institutional affiliation
- A one-page bibliography
- A one-page account of how the proposed research fits within your program of study at American University, and an explanation of your preparation for the study (including language training)
- An itemized budget estimating your travel and in-field expenses: *Note that at least 75% of the funds requested must go toward travel expenses, including flights to and from the country, as well as in-country travel (buses, taxis, domestic flights, etc)*
- A C.V. of no more than two pages, indicating educational achievements, degree plans, research and study abroad experience, language expertise and relevant work experience
- One letter of recommendation, speaking directly to the quality of the proposal and its relevance to your degree program
The selection committee will consist of AU faculty drawn from across Schools and Colleges on campus. Although all of the reviewers have extensive experience conducting research in the region, remember that they may not be well-versed in jargon particular to any discipline. Thus, while doctoral candidates in particular should make clear how their proposed research is situated within disciplinary debates and methodological approaches, it is important to present your work in ways that a multi-disciplinary committee will find intelligible.
CLALS is no longer accepting applications for the 2013 competition.