Américo Paredes Endowed Scholarship
A world-renowned scholar of folklore and the U.S./Mexico Borderlands, Américo Paredes established an intellectual and institutional legacy that endures to this day. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Professor Paredes was instrumental in the founding of the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) and served as its first director. The Américo Paredes Endowed Scholarship was established to honor his lasting impact on students and the academy.
Given Professor Paredes commitment to activism, research, and social justice, three types of awards will be made available to students in the following categories:
1) U.S./Mexico Borderlands Research Award—Funds up to $3,000 will be awarded to students conducting original research in folklore or Borderlands Studies during the spring semester 2013. Priority will be given to students initiating or who are in the finishing stages of a project.
2) Change in Circumstance Award—Funds up to $1,000 will be awarded to students to alleviate an extraordinary, temporary change in circumstances due to economic hardship or a change in health or legal status. Students must be prepared to submit official documentation that can verify the circumstances requiring assistance.
3) Community Service and Training Award—Funds up to $1,000 will be awarded to exceptional students who volunteer, intern, or apprentice with key educational and service organizations in the larger Austin community during the spring semester 2013.
All awards will be made on a one-time basis and cannot be renewed. Also these awards are considered part of a students financial aid package and must be reported to the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS).
Eligibility
Awards will be made to students who meeting the following eligibility criteria: a) must be enrolled full-time, b) must be majoring in Mexican American Studies, or enrolled in the Master of Arts degree or Graduate Portfolio Program in Mexican American Studies, c) must be making significant progress towards their degree, d) must demonstrate leadership ability, and e) must have contributed to the University and/or Mexican American community. Financial need shall be a consideration.
Application Process
1) The U.S./Mexico Borderlands Research Award requires a letter of application (two-page maximum length), a project proposal (one page maximum length), and a detailed budget. The project proposal should describe the research undertaking with detail and demonstrate an innovative contribution to the fields of folklore or Borderlands Studies.
2) The Change in Circumstances Awards requires a letter of application (two-page maximum length), and a personal statement (one page maximum length) explaining the extraordinary or extenuating circumstances that merit financial assistance. After an initial review of the application, CMAS will ask the student to provide the appropriate documentation that can verify the need for assistance.
3) The Community Service and Training Award requires a letter of application (two-page maximum length), a description of duties (one page maximum length) related to the internship, apprenticeship, or volunteer position and demonstration of how this service or training opportunity contributes to the mission of CMAS. An MAS faculty affiliate must supervise undergraduates who apply for the award and are required to write a letter of support on behalf of the student.
The deadline for all applications is Friday, December 14, 2012.
Awardees will be notified on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, and expected to attend the CMAS Poster Art Scholarship Reception on Thursday, January 31, 2013.
Application materials must be submitted to:
Paredes ScholarshipCenter for Mexican American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
306 Inner Campus Drive, Stop F9200
Austin, Texas 78712
Questions regarding financial assistance for undergraduate students can be directed to Natasha Saldaña, CMAS Undergraduate Program Coordinator, at (512) 471-2134 or nvs@austin.utexas.edu.
Questions regarding financial assistance for graduate students can be directed to Luis Guevara, CMAS Program Coordinator, at (512) 475-6769 or lvg@austin.utexas.edu.
