CALAS Call for Applications: Senior Research Fellowships

Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS)

Call for Applications for Two Visiting Researcher Fellowships Senior

The Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) is accepting applications for the following “seniorvisiting researcher” research fellowships:

• One visiting researcher fellowship at the CALAS main campus in Guadalajara, Mexico

• One visiting researcher fellowship at the Andes regional office at FLACSO Ecuador

The fellowships consist of three-month residencies at one of CALAS’s two locations. In line with CALAS’s research program, applicants are expected to contribute to the development of new methodological and analytical approaches for understanding changes and crises in Latin America. This may include a review of Latin American approaches, theories, and methodologies that address crises.

Thematic Focus

Latin America is experiencing an intensification of multiple crises. For several years, CALAS’s research has focused on critical questions regarding how these crises and processes of change are triggered, perceived, reflected upon, and addressed by different social actors. In the current phase of CALAS’s transdisciplinary research, titled “Creating Horizons: Accelerations, Transformations, Emergencies,” the focus is on 1) the acceleration of processes in social time and the compression of space that permeates all spheres of social life and produces different social responses and consequences to civilizational crises; 2) the transformation of worldviews and perspectives, of social and politico-economic practices and structures, and of ways of thinking and knowing, with the aim of achieving a just and inclusive transformation; 3) the emergence of new practices—including social, artistic, and politico-cultural actions—their potential, their transformations, and their dispersal across Latin America, as well as exploring epistemological proposals that reflect on the relationship and confrontation between the human and the non-human. Therefore, CALAS proposes to work on the “creation of horizons” in the sense of a close exchange between the academic world and non-academic actors.

Projects submitted must address, in one way or another, these guiding questions of CALAS and its general framework. In particular, we welcome projects whose academic profile ensures the interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches necessary for research at CALAS and that focus on new horizons for addressing the topic under exploration. It is expected that the results of your research will contribute new perspectives not yet addressed by CALAS authors in the essay collection “Facing Crises from Latin America” (http://calas.lat/es/publicaciones/list/15) so that the project may become part of this collection.

For more information about CALAS and its lines of research, please visit the Center’s website: www.calas.lat/

Fellowship Requirements

This call for applications is directed at distinguished scholars with a university degree in the humanities or social sciences who are internationally recognized for having a significant impact in their field of research. The minimum academic degree required is a Ph.D.; in addition, applicants will be evaluated based on their academic track record and scientific reputation, publications, experience in the research topic, and the quality of the proposed project. Proficiency in Spanish is required.

CALAS is committed to inclusion and the goal of gender parity. It expressly welcomes applications from qualified individuals with disabilities. The CALAS fellowship program aims for gender parity and promotes affirmative action policies.

The visiting researcher is expected to reside at one of the two CALAS locations mentioned in the call for applications for the duration of the fellowship and to present the progress of their research at a public lecture. In addition, during their stay, they may participate in the activities and events organized by the Center. They will have the opportunity to make use of the resources of CALAS and the respective host institution, including office space, access to libraries, and research facilities.

The fellowship includes a competitive stipend. If the applicant holds a permanent position, the fellowship may be used to fund a temporary replacement. In addition, round-trip airfare to the CALAS headquarters is covered, and travel expenses are provided to present the results of your research at a book fair at one of the four CALAS locations. CALAS does not provide housing for its visiting researchers. However, its administrative staff will assist in finding suitable rental accommodations.

Fellows are invited to publish their research findings, in consultation with the CALAS editorial committee, in the essay collection “Afrontar las Crisis.” Additionally, upon completion of the fellowship, fellows must submit a 5-page report detailing the activities carried out.

Application

Please fill out the application form and attach the following documents in PDF format and in Spanish or English:

• A letter of motivation explaining how the project fits into the CALAS research program, specifically noting how it relates to at least one of the three themes of the “Crear Horizontes: Accelerations, Transformations, Emergencies,” and opens up new perspectives for the essay collection “Facing Crises.”

• A two-pagecurriculum vitae with a list of relevant publications.

• A copy of your doctoral degree certificate (2021 or earlier).

• A description of the research project, including a timeline, work plan, and bibliography, with a maximum length of 8 pages/4,000 words.

• A provisional table of contents with 5 pages of sample text from the proposed essay.

Important Dates

• Call for applications opens: October 15, 2026

• Application deadline: January 11, 2027

• Notification of results: April 15, 2027

• Start of the fellowship: between August and October 2027.

Due to the large number of applications, we are unable to provide reasons for rejections.

For more information: Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies, Dr. Jochen Kemner, General Manager, Tel. ++52 33 3819 3000 (ext. 23594), Email: merian.calas[at]gmail[dot]com