Tinker Field Research Grant


Fall 2025 Competition –

EXTENDED DEADLINE - Sunday, September 28, 2025 for Winter 2025/Spring 2026 field research 

Spring 2026 Competition – 

Deadline -TBD for Summer 2026 field research
 

The Tinker Field Research Grant is designed to facilitate, preliminary, exploratory research that lays the groundwork for future, continued graduate-level scholarship in Latin America. Funding is available to support field research for Master's students and pre-dissertation PhD students (ABD students are not eligible) in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries within Latin America. Students enrolled in professional degree programs are also eligible to apply. 

Award amounts will vary based on the scope and budget of the proposed project, with a maximum grant of $3,500.  Funds are intended to cover the recipient's travel and field-related expenses directly associated with their research. 

Applicants must plan to conduct a minimum of two weeks of field research. Please note that participation in study abroad programs or academic conferences does not fulfill the research requirement.   

Previous Tinker award recipients may reapply; however, subsequent travel must occur at least 12 months after the original funded trip and must reflect a significantly different geographic location or research focus. 

Learn about a grant workshop on September 12, 2025 and view video testimonials from former awardees via the links provided in the right-hand column of this webpage. To learn how past recipients have utilized their grants, attend the weekly Merienda Series presentations held in Bailey 318 at 12:00 PM beginning September 17, 2025. 

Click on the blue APPLY button below to begin the application for a Tinker Field Research Grant.  The following three separate documents will need to be uploaded: 

  • Proposal, not to exceed 4 double-spaced pages, which describes the student’s proposed project. The file MUST use the following naming convention: Proposal_FirstName_LastName (e.g., Proposal_John_Smith).

    Your proposal should include:  

    • applicant's name, applicant's department, and title of research project
    • disciplinary and/or country significance
    • planned contribution to applicant’s academic career
    • any established in-country research contacts or those applicant plans to make
    • language proficiency
    • anticipated research timeline
  • Detailed budget. The file MUST use the following naming convention: Budget_FirstName_LastName (e.g., Budget_John_Smith)
    • airfare (list international and in-country flights)
    • airport transfers
    • baggage fees
    • visa and passport fees
    • travel health insurance (through Study Abroad)
    • immunizations
    • lodging (by location)
    • local transportation (taxi, bus)
    • car rental and gas, if needed
    • food (per diem)
    • translator, if needed
    • books/photocopying/ digitization, if needed
    • scientific equipment, if needed
  • Unofficial transcripts from graduate work (KU Advising Report). The file MUST use the following naming convention: Transcript_SchoolName_FirstName_LastName (e.g., Transcript_KU_John_Smith) 

Two letters of recommendation are also required to be submitted by references. PLEASE NOTE: References will NOT receive an automatically generated email prompting them to submit a letter on the applicant's behalf. It is the applicant's responsibility to give their references the link to this page so they can submit their Recommendation Letters by clicking on the blue button below. Students are encouraged to speak with references and provide them with their Proposal well in advance of the application deadline (09/28/2025). Letters of recommendation are also due by the deadline 09/28/2025.

For questions or issues with the application, contact the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Administrative Associate, Mariya Borisova.

Video Testimonials from Tinker Field Research Grant Awardees

Tinker Field Research Grant Workshop

  • Friday, September 12, 3:30-5:00 pm, 318 Bailey Hall and via Zoom

  • Hybrid workshop—available both in person and via Zoom—providing an overview of the Tinker Field Research Grant and guidance on crafting a strong research proposal.

  • In-person (with pizza/beverages served) AND Online workshop: https://kansas.zoom.us/j/85291934210 Passcode: 1234