Overview
CLACS sponsors several working groups comprised of UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and students who gather regularly to discuss and share research on topics of mutual interest. CLACS provides funds and other support for group meetings, events, and other activities. Groups can be formed based on any given country, region, topic, or discipline related to Latin America and/or the Caribbean, and have covered a wide range of subject matter. See past groups.
Groups should meet regularly and plan a series of meetings and/or events. Meetings and events should be spread evenly between the fall and spring semesters.
Funding Amount: Groups are awarded $750 per semester (total $1500). Funds provide support for discussion groups, small conferences, guest lectures, library resources, conference travel, and other activities. Funds from fall semester cannot be carried over to the spring.
Eligibility: Applications can be received from UC Berkeley students, staff, and/or faculty. Groups with organizers who have organized a CLACS-funded working group in 2023-24 or 2024-25 are not eligible. Groups with the majority of group members who have received CLACS working group funds in 2023-24 or 2024-25 are not eligible. All groups must have a Faculty Advisor.
Application & Review Process
To apply for funding, please submit a one page proposal that includes the following information:
- Names and affiliations of organizing team
- Description and mission of the group
- Faculty advisor
- Central scholarly question and intended outcomes for the working group
- Description of proposed events (tentative dates of events in the fall and spring semesters, speakers, venues, etc.) Events should be spread evenly between the fall and spring semesters.
- Proposed itemized budget ($750/semester). All funds must be spent by the end of the semester.
- Mention other funding sources and uses for those funds
Submit applications as a PDF to clacs@berkeley.edu. Email subject should be "Working Group Grant Application."
Applications are due May 15, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes the CLACS Chair and Faculty Affiliates from different academic departments.
Working Group Procedures
Event organizers will sign an agreement that lays out the responsabilities of CLACS and of the organizers. CLACS can provide funding, publicity, and, occasionally, limited event production. CLACS will transfer funds to the organizer's home department, and the home department MSO must sign the the agreement along with the organizers.
Event topics must relate to Latin America and the Caribbean. Events must comply with CLACS Co-sponsored Events Policies.
If you have questions, please contact Julia Byrd, julia.byrd@berkeley.edu.