Latin American Studies gets grant

Tulane’s Center for Inter-American Policy and Research received a $12.3 million grant from an anonymous donor.

The grant will go toward increasing CIPR projects and programs and expanding post-doctorate program in San José, Costa Rica.

CIPR is a collaborative effort of the Stone Center for Latin American Studies and the Centro de Investigación y Adiestramiento Político Administrativo in San José [Costa Rica to improve Latin American and inter-American relations]. It has three main focuses of interest: human development, inter-American relations and the future of Cuba. The money obtained through the grant will mostly go toward funding post-doctoral fellowships in San José devoted to research.

On campus, the grant will enable the continuation of the CIPR Seminar Series, which brings senior experts on Latin America to speak on campus, including the round-table discussion Nov. 13 to discuss United States-Cuban relations.

The grant will have other effects on the undergraduate population at Tulane working with the Latin American Studies department.

It will offer internship and student employment opportunities targeted to undergraduates.

“The funding will secure the presence on campus of permanent researchers dealing with inter-American issues, which can advise and collaborate with students,” CIPR Executive Director Ludorico Feoli said.

Tulane’s summer program has used the classrooms and dormitory facilities at CIAPA’s campus in Costa Rica for several years. Tulane will now operate these facilities permanently as part of its international program.

Senior Thomas McAfee has spent a summer abroad through the program, where he studied at CIAPA, and he said he had a rewarding experience.
“If CIAPA is given more money to expand their programs, I think that would be great,” McAfee said.

As of now, there is only the summer abroad program with CIAPA, but it is possible that Tulane could start a semester or year abroad program with CIAPA in San José.

“We’re hoping to increase the number of activities we have for both undergraduate and graduate students that take place at the facility in San José,” said Valerie Marshall, CIPR Director of External Relations.