What the Fund Is

While Latinos are the fastest growing subgroup in the United States and already comprise more than 12 percent of the total population, less than 2 percent of all political scientists are Latinos or Latinas. This significant underrepresentation within our discipline seriously limits our ability to adequately assess the political incorporation and impact of this increasingly important minority population. The Fund for Latino Scholarship was established to address this situation

Its Purpose

The primary purpose of the Fund for Latino Scholarship is to encourage and support the recruitment, retention and promotion of Latino/a political scientists.  A secondary goal is to support research on Latino/a politics. 

Its Funding goals

Since the Fund's inception in October 1999, we have raised more than $30,000. Our initial goal is to raise $50, 000 by 2001. We anticipate that this goal will be met, that new goals will be set throughout the campaign, and that the fund will generate a five-percent annual rate of return for grant disbursement.  Grants cannot be awarded until the initial goal is met.

How Fund Proceeds Will Be Used

The fund will award grants to initiatives that: 1) identify promising Latino/a undergraduates and encourage them to enter the profession of political science; 2) provide professional opportunities and financial assistance to Latino/a graduate students in political science programs; 3) support the teaching, research and publishing activities of junior-level, tenure track Latino/a political science faculty; and 4) support activities that advance our knowledge of Latino/a politics.

Who May Apply for Grants

Grants may be awarded to any programs and/or individuals involved in the successful recruitment of promising Latinos into the discipline of  political science or, alternatively, grants may be given directly to individual Latino/Latina students (at  both undergraduate and graduate levels) who are participating in discipline-related programs and activities.  Latino political science faculty in tenure-track positions are also eligible to apply for and receive Latino Fund grants to be used for teaching, research or publishing activities. Individuals conducting research on Latino politics are also eligible to apply.

How You Can Contribute to the Fund for Latino Scholarship

Those wanting to contribute to the Latino fund should contact Valerie Martinez-Ebers at v.martinez@tcu.edu or contact APSA Fund Campaign staff at future@apsanet.org.  People can give funds in the following ways: a single cash or check gift; extended pledges spread over five years; gifts of marketable securities; and planned giving.