• 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 should include a minimum of two Brown faculty sponsors from different departments (multi-year appointed visiting faculty and teaching-track faculty are also welcome to apply) and (ideally) should list an interdisciplinary group of interested faculty, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students. Brown undergraduate or graduate students and faculty at other institutions may also be involved. Proposed projects may include conferences, workshops, speaker series, reading/writing groups, exhibitions, performances, publications, or digital initiatives. Faculty sponsors may request up to $1,000 in research funds.

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 

2026-2027

• For Fall 2026 Projects: On a rolling basis but no later than November 1, 2026.
• For Spring 2027 Projects: November 1, 2026
• For Fall 2027 Projects: April 30, 2027 
• For Spring 2028: November 1, 2027

Submission Details

• 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: “Date of Submission_Caribbean Initiative Grant Proposal.”
  • 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.