Scholarships, Awards, and Funding
There are many programs that can help students in the Latin American and Latino Studies Department to fund their education. In addition to the listings below, we also share information about funding opportunities through our departmental email newsletter to students.
Some awards are suitable for projects involving field study, research, or other work abroad. Some require nominations by faculty or the department. For help with applying to research awards and scholarships, please feel free to contact the LALS undergraduate advisor.
For a longer list of campus and external awards, explore the LALS scholarship resource sheet.
Opportunities for undergraduates
Joel Frankel Scholarship Fund
This scholarship memorializes Joel Frankel by providing grants to support undergraduate field study projects in Latin America or in Latina/e/o/x communities within the United States. While any UCSC undergraduate may apply, priority is given to Merrill College students, Latin American & Latino Studies majors, and Politics majors focusing on Latin American and Latina/o issues. All proposals should reflect the founding spirit and vision that established the fund.
Application materials are reviewed as they are received throughout the academic year, and each student will receive a decision within 4-6 weeks of their submission, or sooner, if possible. Email lalsadvising@ucsc.edu with any questions.
Wally Goldfrank Outstanding Paper Award
The LALS department is pleased to offer a quarterly Outstanding Paper Award for excellent undergraduate research papers, in honor of Professor Wally Goldfrank. Nominations and submissions are only accepted from LALS faculty. (Please note students are not eligible to submit on their own behalf.)
The awardee will receive a $50 gift card if funds allow. When possible, the winner will be honored at the LALS End of Year Celebration in June.
About Walter “Wally” Goldfrank
Professor Walter “Wally” Goldfrank joined the UC Santa Cruz faculty in 1968. He was a founding fellow of Merrill College in 1971. He supported the founding of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program in 1997 and later helped secure its departmental status in 2000. His research explored the causes of the Mexican Revolution and he played an important role in debates in political economy, ecology, and world system theory. His commitment to justice and peace was part of his life’s work. He was active in the anti-war and civil rights movements and treasurer of the Santa Cruz chapter of the ACLU. The award honors Professor Goldfrank’s legacy in the field of LALS.
Divisional awards
LALS Undergraduate students are eligible for a wide range of scholarships and awards from the Division of Social Sciences. One of these awards, the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, requires students to be nominated through their department. LALS students should use the form below to submit their applications for the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, or contact the LALS advisor with any questions.
Opportunities for graduate students
Our department regularly nominates a few of our strongest admitted graduate students for Cota-Robles and/or Chancellor’s Fellowships. UCSC’s Division of Graduate Studies hosts more resources related to fellowships and financial aid, and the Office of Research website has information about student research funding.
UC Santa Cruz also offers all eligible new and continuing doctoral students five-year funding packages and currently offers an annual housing supplement. See the Ph.D. Program and Designated Emphasis page for more details.
Diversifying the Social Sciences Future Faculty Program
Led by Professor Patricia Pinho and supported by a University of California Hispanic Serving Institution Doctoral Diversity Initiative grant, this five-year initiative works to transform the professoriate by supporting underrepresented doctoral students in the UCSC Social Sciences Division. Students participate in our Spring Grant Writing Lab, Summer Publishing Institute (including a $5,000 stipend), and Fall Job Market Workshop. For more information on how to get involved, contact the LALS graduate program advisor and coordinator.