• Climate and Conservation: Addressing ecological knowledge, environmental change, conservation practices, and the intersections of science, policy, and local experience in and around the Caribbean.
• Arts and Cultures: Exploring how creative expression, cultural practices, and forms of representation shape understandings of the Caribbean and its peoples.
• Politics and Peripheries: Considering the Caribbean in political terms in relation to its trans-regional character and its margins (geographic, social, economic, and/or conceptual), and how these “edges” – maritime and terrestrial – connect to broader regional and global dynamics. 

We especially welcome projects that center Indigenous, Afro-Latin American and/or Afro-Caribbean, and other marginalized perspectives (linguistically, economically, etc.) on these questions. 

Proposals for support under these grants (with budgets ranging from $1,000–$5,000) should include at least two Brown faculty sponsors from different departments and comprise an interdisciplinary group of faculty, postdoctoral research associates, and graduate students. Other non-organizer participants may include Brown graduate or undergraduate students, as well as faculty at other institutions. Preference will be given to projects that involve faculty and students across academic divisions. 

Projects may include a variety of outputs, including (but not limited to): a conference or workshop; a speaker series; a reading and/or writing group; an exhibition, film series, or performance; or a publication or digital project. Each principal faculty sponsor can request up to $1,000 each as research stipends (to be included as part of the total budget); one graduate student organizer per group can receive up to $300 as a research stipend. 

The strongest applications will be both transdisciplinary and transgeographical, fostering collaboration across disciplines and regions, and focusing on broad, cross-cutting themes. Initiatives whose activities span a semester or academic year, rather than a single event, will be especially competitive. The final grant amount will be determined based on the quality of the proposal and available CLACS resources, with attention to equity across proposals. 

Proposal Guidelines 

Proposals should include a 150-word abstract of the overarching goals of the project in addition to a statement of up to 750 words (max. 3 pages) that articulates the following elements: 

• Theme and significance: The theme of the proposed research/programming and its relevance to the Caribbean region.
• Activities and outcomes: What the research/programming will do and the anticipated scholarly, pedagogical, or public outcomes of the initiative. Please include key events and deliverables.
• Collaboration and participants: Provide information on co-organizers, collaborators, and other key participants. Include a description of how each department and participant will contribute to the project, emphasizing interdisciplinary engagement across at least two to three Brown departments.
• Accessibility and inclusion: Explain how the initiative will ensure accessibility and engagement for diverse participants and audiences.
• Budget: Include estimated expenses and any additional funding sources, confirmed or projected (e.g. co-sponsorship). Please note that CLACS can provide administrative support (e.g., space scheduling, publicity, visitor reimbursement) for successful projects.

Submission Deadlines 

Early 2026 Projects

• Deadline extended to December 5, 2025
• Upload your proposal via this Google Form
• If you are unable to submit via the form, email your complete PDF proposal (max. 3 pages) to: maria_isabel_marin@brown.edu and clacs@brown.edu. Use the subject line: “2025–27 Caribbean Initiative Grants Proposal.” 

Projects Beginning After June 1, 2026

• Submit by April 3, 2026
• Upload via this Google Form, or email as above if necessary.
• Note: Your PDF proposal should include a 150-word abstract and a statement of up to 750 words addressing theme and significance, activities and outcomes, collaboration and participants, accessibility and inclusion, and budget.