CLACLS Undergraduate Student Awards & Opportunities
UMass CLACLS currently offers two undergraduate award programs: the CLACLS Undergraduate Research Award and the CLACLS Community Project Award.
CLACLS Undergraduate Research Award
The CLACLS Undergraduate Research Award supports undergraduate students interested in exploring questions related to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latino communities through original, faculty-mentored research. Open to students from all academic disciplines and majors, the award welcomes a wide range of research topics, perspectives, and approaches.
This award encourages students—whether they are new to research or already developing a project—to engage in scholarly inquiry in collaboration with a faculty mentor and within a supportive and interdisciplinary environment. Projects may draw on a wide range of disciplinary and methodological approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, creative, or mixed methods, and must be presented in poster format, similar to what students would share at an academic or research conference.
Through this award, students have the opportunity to build research and communication skills, work closely with faculty mentors, and share their work with a broader audience interested in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies.
The award includes the following recognitions:
- First Place: $500 and a CLACLS Certificate of Recognition
- Second Place: $300 and a CLACLS Certificate of Recognition
How to Apply
- Next Call for Applications: Spring 2027
Award Recipients – Spring 2026
First Place – Jimmy Cantarero, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Riccio College of Engineering
Poster: "Forever Chemicals" disproportionately impacting Latino communities in the Eastern United States?
Second Place – Nylla Henriquez, Public Health, School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS)
Poster: "Beyond Access: Healthcare, Social Services Challenges and Cultural Resilience in Latinx Oral Histories from Lawrence, MA"
CLACLS Undergraduate Community Project Award
The CLACLS Undergraduate Community Project Award recognizes undergraduate-led initiatives that make meaningful contributions to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino communities, on campus, locally, or beyond. The award highlights projects that demonstrate student leadership and the tangible impact of connecting academic learning with community engagement.
Eligible projects may be ongoing or recently completed and can take many forms, including campus or local events, collaborations with community organizations, public-facing arts, media, or outreach initiatives, as well as educational programs, workshops, or advocacy efforts. Students from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply.
The award includes the following recognitions:
- First Place: $500 and a CLACLS Certificate of Recognition
- Second Place: $300 and a CLACLS Certificate of Recognition
How to Apply
Award Recipients – Fall 2025
First Place – Ben Schaffer
Mechanical Engineering, Riccio College of Engineering
Project: Biogas Heating System to Sustainably Warm One of the Nuestras Raíces Organization’s Greenhouses
This project developed a sustainable biogas-based heating system to support greenhouse operations at Nuestras Raíces, contributing to environmentally responsible food production and community-based sustainability efforts.
Second Place – Marco Figueroa
Communications, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Project: Experimental Narrative – “El No Vidente de la Salsa”
This creative media project explores narrative experimentation through storytelling and cultural expression, highlighting Latino identity and artistic production.
Third Place – Autumn Liguori-Bills
Public Health Sciences and Spanish, School of Public Health & Health Sciences
Project: Infant Co-Sleeping Practices among Puerto Rican Caregivers
This project examines infant co-sleeping practices within Puerto Rican caregiving communities, contributing to culturally informed understandings of family health practices.
