Inter-American Foundation (IAF) Grassroots Development Fellowship Program

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Since the Ph.D. fellowships' reinstatement in 2007 the program has...

Funded 84 fellows
In 16 different countries
Representing 21 broad fields of study (e.g.; sociology, anthropology, political science)
From 32 different U.S. universities.

Since the fellowships were first awarded in 1974, the IAF has...

Awarded more than 1,100 fellowships
For study or research in 33 different countries in the region
To citizens of 35 countries in the region
From more than 90 different universities.

2013-2014 IAF Fellowship

The deadline for the 2013-2014 fellowship cycle has PASSED. Be sure to add your name to our mailing list for more information on next year's program. Fellows for 13-14 cycle will be announced shortly.

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IAF Fellows

IAF Fellows do their research all over Latin America and the Caribbean. Click on the link to see an interactive map showing where past fellows have done their research.

See the map
Focus: Native Americans and Their Resources

The most recent journal of the Inter-American Foundation is now available for downloading.

Read the article (PDF)
IAF Grassroots Development Fellowship

The IAF Grassroots Development Ph.D. Fellowship Program provides support for dissertation field research in Latin America and the Caribbean undertaken by students who have advanced to candidacy for a Ph.D. from a university in the United States.
2011 MYC

Antigua, Guatemala
LASA 2012

IAF Panels at 2012 LASA

IAF Alumni from 4 cohorts and Academic Review Committee Members present at the IAF Double Session at the Latin American Studies Conference in San Francisco.
2012 MYC Panama City

Inter-American Foundation Journal

Volume 31 of Grassroots Development, the journal of the Inter-American Foundation, included an article on the history of the IAF’s Fellowship Programs. Volumes 32 and 33 of Grassroots Development include articles by two former Fellows.

Read the article on the fellowship programs (262 KB, PDF)

Volume 31 - Fall 2010 (4.3 MB, PDF)

Volume 32 - Fall 2011 (5.2 MB, PDF)

Volume 33 - Fall 2012 (4.2 MB, PDF)

You may also view the 2011 IAF Annual Report.

Go to IAF publications

Who is eligible?

Ph.D. candidates who are currently enrolled at a U.S. university and are citizens of the United States or of an independent country in Latin America or the Caribbean, except Cuba, may apply. Before beginning research funded under the IAF Fellowship, students must have advanced to candidacy for a Ph.D. in the social sciences, physical sciences, technical fields or other disciplines as related to grassroots development issues in Latin America or the Caribbean

Learn more about eligibility requirements

Where are programs administered?

Fellowships provide support for field research in independent countries in Latin America or the Caribbean, except for Cuba. Proposals for field research in Puerto Rico or the Dutch, French and British territories are not accepted.

What is the Inter-American Foundation?

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) was created in 1969 by the United States Congress to fund the self-help initiatives of the organized poor in Latin America and the Caribbean and the groups that directly support them. The IAF disseminates research findings of its Fellows to a broad audience concerned with development. The IIE has partnered with the IAF to administer its Grassroots Development Fellowship Program.

Learn more about the Inter-American Foundation

What is included?

Fellowship awards include a research allowance of up to $3,000; a $1,500 monthly stipend for a period from between four to 12 months, international round trip transportation to the research site, health insurance and attendance at a mandatory mid-year conference.

Learn more about award benefits

Application Deadline: The deadline for 2013-2014 has passed. Please check back in the fall for the deadline for the 2014-2015 fellowship cycle.

Read more about application submission procedure
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Announcement: 2012 - 2013 Grantees Selected
2013-2014 Grantees will be announced soon!

Read the press release

Information on the 2014-2015 Fellowship Competition will be available in the fall.
The 2013-2014 deadline has passed.

No webinars are currently scheduled.

Please check back in the fall for the next application deadline and webinar information sessions.

For questions, please contact iaffellowships@iie.org