Latinx Social Science Pipeline Initiative at UC Berkeley
Call for Applicants: Latinx Social Science Small Grants Program
Application Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2025.
Overview
The Latinx Social Science Pipeline Initiative (LSSPI) at the University of California, Berkeley, recognizes the significance of Latinx issues in contemporary society and is committed to promoting social science research in this vital field. Working with UC Berkeley scholars, students, and staff, LSSPI supports the training and development of social scientists, data analysts, policymakers, and public intellectuals focused on Latino/a communities and efforts to improve socioeconomic conditions and advance racial justice.
As part of realizing its mission, LSSPI is pleased to announce the second cycle for the Latinx Social Science Small Grant program. This initiative has two aims: 1) to support UC Berkeley faculty and postdocs in their research projects that focus on the social scientific study of Latinx communities and 2) to create opportunities for undergraduate students to develop research skills, critical thinking, and intellectual creativity.
The small grants program runs for the Spring 2025 semester and pairs faculty with outstanding undergraduate students across the different schools on campus. Faculty and postdoctoral recipients of the small grant program are expected to meet regularly with student fellows and integrate them into their proposed project. Awardees and projects will be listed on the LSSPI website.
Eligibility
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Applicants must be UC Berkeley faculty members or UC Berkeley Postdoctoral Scholars.
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Proposed research projects should center on the social scientific study of Latinx communities in the United States or beyond.
Grant Details
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Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per project.
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The grant is intended to support research expenses, including data collection, travel, materials, and, importantly, the payment of an undergraduate student research assistant.
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The faculty-student research team is expected to publicly present their research at the May 2025 Symposium at the Latinx Research Center (LRC).
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Faculty recipients must also submit a 2-3 (single-spaced) page research brief in Fall 2025.
Undergraduate Student Research Assistant
Applicants must identify an undergraduate student who will be actively involved in the research project. The student will receive compensation for their assistance, helping to promote engagement and mentorship in Latinx social science research. The grant will cover the student’s compensation.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit the following materials in a single PDF document:
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A Project Proposal (up to 3 pages) that includes:
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Project title and description.
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Clear research objectives and research questions.
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Methodology and research approach.
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Significance and expected contributions to the field.
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Outline of student RA responsibilities and contributions to the research.
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A detailed budget, including the student assistant’s compensation.
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A Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the faculty or postdoc leading the project.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by co-directors of the LSSPI. Successful applicants will be chosen based on the quality and feasibility of their research proposal, including the student mentorship component.
Application Submission
Please submit your application materials in a single PDF document to: luis.hernandez@berkeley.edu by January 3, 2025.
Notification of Awards
Successful applicants will be notified by early January 2025. The funding will be available early in the Spring semester. For the grant recipient to access funds, the identified student RA must provide a letter of commitment to the research project.
Contact
For inquiries or additional information, please get in touch with Luis Javier Hernandez at luis.hernandez@berkeley.edu
We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting innovative research in the field of Latino Social Science at UC Berkeley!