Call: Research fellowship for a “Transatlantic Tandem” at the CALAS Regional office Central American & The Caribbean in San José, Costa Rica

 

To promote dialogue and exchange between early-career researchers, the Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) is accepting applications for a dual research fellowship (4 to 8 month) inside its program “Transatlantic Tandem”, located at its regional office in San José, Costa Rica. Two researchers – one from Latin America and one from Europe (Germany) – will work in a collaborative manner on a particular research topic related to the CALAS research approach. Their joint application must highlight the additional academic value of their cooperation. The application should also define the concrete results and objectives of their collaboration.

 

Thematic scope

Latin America has acquired significant experience in dealing with multiple crises. In facing these challenges, theoretical and empirical approaches are generated that are of importance not only for the region, but also for the general understanding and solving of the current problems of humanity. CALAS’s transdisciplinary research program Coping with Crisis: Transdisciplinary Perspectives from Latin America” focuses on critical questions of how crises and processes of change are triggered, accelerated, decelerated, perceived, and reflected by different actors in Latin America. What strategies arise in the process to deal with crises at multiple levels? How can new approaches to solving problems, including those of a transregional nature, be effective or institutionalized?

The thematic proposals that are presented must address in one way or another these CALAS guiding research questions and its general approaches. In particular, projects that show interest in more than one of the research axes covered by CALAS and whose academic profile guarantees the interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches necessary for research in CALAS are welcome. In this regard, it is expected that the proposed Platforms for Dialogue will contribute to reflect, deconstruct and decentralize the Western-centered state of knowledge about concepts, dynamics and solutions, and to adapt them to the context of the region.

For more information about CALAS visit: www.calas.lat

 

Conditions

The Transatlantic Tandem fellowship is open to (post)doctoral scholars in Social Sciences and the Humanities, even though applications in which one of the two scholars does not hold a post-doctoral degree yet will also be accepted as long as this person has additional qualifications and proven experience in functions of the civil society related to the subject of the research project. An effective operational command of Spanish is required.

CALAS is committed to inclusion and gender equality. It expressly welcomes applications from appropriately qualified disabled persons. The CALAS fellowship-program aims for gender parity and is promoting affirmative action policies.

The fellows are expected to be in residence in San José and participate in CALAS activities and events. They will have the opportunity to make use of the resources of CALAS and the respective host institution, the University of Costa Rica, including office space, access to libraries and research facilities.

The monthly stipend is EUR 2,500 per person. In addition, fellowship recipients will receive reimbursement for their round-trip airfare to San José and family support in case of traveling accompanied. To promote the joint research, a shared budget of EUR 1.000/month will be provided for, e.g. conducting field research, organizing a small academic event (e.g. workshop) and/or visiting the other centres affiliated with CALAS in Latin America or Germany, where recipients are expected to present their research at a public conference. CALAS is unable to provide accommodation for its fellows but local administrative staff will help in finding suitable places for rent.

To complete the research stay, CALAS expects the fellows to publish their joint research results in at least two academic articles. The search for a suitable means of publication depends on the authors. At the end of the fellowship it is expected that the fellows give an account on their activities in a five page report.

Application

The following documents are required in Spanish or English:

• Application form
• Motivational letter stating why your project is a good fit for the specific fellowship and what your expectations are.
• Short CV (2 pages) of conveners with list of topic-related publications.
• Copies of certificate of most recently achieved academic qualification.
• Research proposal with research schedule and work plan with a maximum of 10 bibliographic sources and information on plans on how to publish research results (5 pages max/2.000 words).
• Budget that indicates the intention on how to use additional funds for research

Applications must be sent electronically as single PDF via e-mail to convocatorias@calas.lat; Reference: Fellowship Transatlantic Tandem Costa Rica

 

Important dates

• Opening of the call: February 5, 2020
• Deadline: May 24, 2020
• Notification of results: August 20, 2020
• Beginning of the fellowship: Between January and September 2021

Due to the high number of applications expected, rejections will not be justified.

 

More information: Dr. Jochen Kemner, Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies, Tlf: ++ 52 33 3819 3300, ext. 23594, info@calas.lat