Frequently Asked Questions

What is the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies?

The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) promotes teaching and research about Latin America at Harvard University. The Center was founded in 1994 to fill a growing need for innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Latin American politics and culture. Today, as one of Harvard's most established inter-faculty initiatives, the Center draws intellectual resources from throughout the University and a global community of scholars. In addition, it serves as a clearing house for information on Latin America-related events and scholarship in the New England region. DRCLAS also seeks to have a positive impact in Latin America.

DRCLAS has two offices in South America: the Regional Office, based out of Santiago, Chile, and the Brazil Office, in Sao Paulo. These offices serve as hubs for faculty projects based in the region, often with the collaboration of local institutions and organizations. The offices also run several programs for undergraduate and graduate students, and help organize faculty conferences and symposia. Students and faculty visiting Latin America, whether for academics, research, public service, or professional pursuits, can take advantage of the offices' local resources as well.

Through a variety of publications, initiatives and events, the Center fulfills its mission of promoting scholarship, strengthening ties between Harvard and institutions in the region, and enhancing public understanding of Latin America in the United States and abroad.

For more information about activities at DRCLAS, please see our Annual Reports.

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Is DRCLAS a research institution?

No. Research related to the region or individual countries is conducted by Harvard faculty and the Center's Visiting Scholars. The Center is devoted to promoting the study of Latin America through various activities. To this end, we provide incentives to students and faculty in the form of grants, administrative and technical support, etc.  

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Does the Center award degrees?

No; the Center does not offer a degree program. It does, however, award a Certificate in Latin American Studies to Harvard undergraduates who take at least six courses with significant Latin American content and write a thesis on a Latin American topic. Certificates are presented to seniors upon graduation.

Undergraduates interested in Latin America are encouraged to pursue this work within their concentrations, many of which offer a variety of Latin America-related courses of study. The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, for instance, allows students to select a track in Latin American Studies, Hispanic Studies, or Portuguese and Brazilian Literature and Studies. DRCLAS also offesr multiple thesis prizes related to Latin America and Latino studies.

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I am a researcher/student unaffiliated with Harvard. May I apply for a DRCLAS grant?

Unfortunately, the Center can only award a limited number of grants to Harvard students and faculty members only. Accomplished researchers affiliated with other institutions, however, may be interested in the Center's Visiting Scholars and Fellows Program, which brings a select group of scholars and professionals to the University every year to pursue special projects under the Center's aegis. Applicants to the Scholars program must have a doctorate or an equivalent level of academic preparation, while Fellows should have significant professional experience related to Latin America and a clearly defined research project related to the region.

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I am a student from Latin America interested in coming to study at Harvard. How do I apply?

Please note that no single office at Harvard handles admissions to all Schools and programs. Instead, each School maintains its own admissions office and a specialized staff to meet the needs of prospective students. Please consult the Harvard College Admissions Office, as well as the Harvard University web site for links to the graduate and professional schools at the University.

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What publications or library resources does the Center offer?

The Center itself does not house research materials, but affiliated scholars gain access to Harvard's library system, home of the world's largest academic collection.

DRCLAS' own publications, including the acclaimed magazine ReVista, are available at the Center and online. Each year, DRCLAS collaborates with faculty and scholars worldwide to produce books spanning a variety of Latin America-related disciplines. In addition to its own series, DRCLAS co-publishes books with the Inter-American Development Bank. Books published by the Center can be purchased directly from Harvard University Press.

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How can students at Harvard become involved with the Center?

The Center provides support to students interested in Latin America across a broad range of disciplines by offered grants, overseas programs, and a variety of other services. Students are always welcome to attend the Center's open events, to subscribe to its publications, and to apply for grants to support innovative scholarly projects pertaining to Latin America. The Center runs several programs for undergraduate and graduate students throughout the region during the summer and Winter Break, and also offers term-time study abroad programs in Argentina, Chile, and Cuba. The Center also offers a limited number of administrative internships and volunteer opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students throughout the academic year.

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Does the Center offer fellowship opportunities for graduate students?

Doctoral students who have passed general exams and are writing dissertations on Latin American topics can apply to the Graduate Student Associate program, which provides grant funding, access to the Center's facilities, and, in some cases, office space. Applications are due in mid-April for the following academic year, and approximately 10 students are selected each year from throughout the University.

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How do I find out about job opportunities at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies?

Job opportunities are publicized through the main Harvard University Human Resources website. Opportunities for Harvard students are publicized through the Student Employment Office. The Center, regrettably, is unable to employ students from outside institutions. 

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I am a Harvard faculty member. How can I get involved at the Center?

DRCLAS offers faculty grants and logistical support in the organization of conferences, symposia, and overseas programs. Dozens of Harvard faculty members serve on various faculty committees at the Center, including the Executive and Policy Committees. DRCLAS supports Harvard faculty research, teaching, and professional activities related to Latin America. The Center's services and funding are available to faculty working directly with Latin American issues as well as those pursuing comparative work related to the region. 

For more information about existing faculty projects in the region, search Harvard Worldwide.

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I am a community member. How can I get involved at DRCLAS?

Most DRCLAS events are free and open to the public. By joining our weekly events list-serv, you will be kept abreast of local Latin America-related events free of charge. DRCLAS can sometimes provide publicity for local events pertaining to Latin America. Event information should be sent to drevents@fas.harvard.edu. Submissions must contain information on the date, time, and location of events, as well as on sponsors, charge (if any) and contact information. Incomplete submissions cannot be published.

Organizations that would like to enlist the help of Harvard students should contact the Phillips Brooks House at Harvard University. This entity coordinates public service opportunities for students.

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