CLACLS Undergraduate Student Awards & Opportunities

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 2026 

• Call for Applications – Full Guidelines and Timeline
• Apply Here – Submission Form  

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 

Next Call for Applications: Fall 2026 [Application form link coming soon!]

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.  

Next Call for Applications: Fall 2026 [Application form link coming soon!]