The Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) at Florida International University is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Tinker Field Research Collaborative grant by the Tinker Foundation for the 2026–2030 grant cycle. This grant aims to continue supporting fieldwork for students engaged in pre-dissertation research in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Summer 2025, a total of fifteen FIU graduate students received Tinker grants, while in Summer 2026, twelve graduate students were granted the same. The research themes for these students encompassed Humanities, STEM, and Social Sciences.
Dr. Gabriela Hoberman, LACC’s Director of Academic Programs and Principal Investigator for this significant initiative, leads the grant. The four-year grant period commences on December 1, 2026, and concludes on December 31, 2030. The award includes a generous 1:1 matching funds commitment from FIU’s Office of Research and Economic Development.
The Tinker Field Research Collaborative grant provides essential support for graduate students conducting pre-dissertation field research across various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Beyond supporting student research, the grant empowers designated centers to develop innovative approaches, establish institutional tools, and facilitate the exchange of best practices, ultimately enhancing the overall field research experience.
Through this grant and its associated activities, LACC will continue to advance the charitable and educational goals of the Tinker Foundation. These goals include fostering knowledge exchange within and about Latin America and promoting an equitable, sustainable, and productive society in the region.
Since 2014, the Tinker Foundation has been a valued and longstanding supporter of LACC. This renewed award reflects the strength of that partnership and reinforces LACC’s commitment to expanding student research opportunities and fostering scholarly engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean. Graduate students from all disciplines at FIU whose research focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean are eligible to apply.
LACC eagerly anticipates continuing its collaboration with the Tinker Foundation and making a lasting impact on student field research throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.