DeCoster Grant for Language Study
The DeCoster Grant is offered to graduate students enrolled in Weinberg graduate programs in Humanities and Social Sciences who intend to study a language relevant to their research on Latin America and/or Spain, including but not limited to: Portuguese, Spanish, Quechua, Nahuatl, Guarani, Catalan, Basque, Japanese, Korean, Yoruba, Haitian Creole, etc. Applicants must demonstrate that the language is central to their research in said geographical area. Before submitting the application, applicants must have consulted their advisor as an advisor’s letter is required.
Who can apply:
- Doctoral students in Spanish and Portuguese, Comparative Literary Studies, Latin American Studies or related disciplines in Weinberg, in good standing, enrolled in years 1-4 with priority given to students in their early years (exceptions may be considered).
- For Spanish and Portuguese, priority will be given to students who demonstrate at least an intermediate level of proficiency, or, in the case of Portuguese, to have taken PORT 115-2, at Northwestern.
- Native speakers of the language to be studied are not eligible.
- Priority will be given to students who exhausted all language course offerings at Northwestern, including BTAA Travel Scholar Program, CourseShare and Chicago Metropolitan Exchange Program.
- Students can receive the grant only once during their graduate career at Northwestern.
Application Deadline: April 1st (Awardees will be notified by the end of May)
Amount: Up to $3,000 per applicant
What can be covered with the grant: program registration fee, airfare or/and housing
How to apply:
- Required materials:
- Proposal: The proposal should indicate the relevance of the language to be studied for the student’s research; previous training and/or proficiency level in the language; plan of study (course type and length, study abroad, etc.). Proposal should not exceed 500 words.
- An itemized budget: List items and costs such as registration, airfare and housing. Students are encouraged to combine the grant with TGS’s Summer Language Grant.
- A brief letter from the academic graduate advisor confirming the importance of the language study for the student’s research (Advisor will upload their letter.
- Fill out information on DeCoster Grant Application and upload all required materials:
Other resources:
The following list of language learning institutions is intended to serve as an initial reference for applicant’s individual research. This resource aims to assist graduate students in identifying certain summer programs that may align with their research need and goals. The institutions are listed in no particular order and institutions not listed will also be considered. The Weinberg Language Resource Center neither endorses nor has any vested interest in these programs so it is up to each applicant to ensure that the chosen institution meets their academic needs.
We are also available for individual consultations. Please email us to languageresourcecenter@northwestern.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
