Launched in fall 1967, the Program in Latin American Studies (PLAS) is one the nation's first centers dedicated exclusively to Latin American area studies. At the program's core is a mission to increase knowledge of the histories, cultures, economies, environments of Latin America, including Brazil and the Caribbean, and to foster cooperation and understanding across the Americas by bringing Latin American scholars, artists, politicians, and scientists to campus, and by providing support for collaborative research, community service, and cultural exchanges in the region.

Centered on Scholarship

PLAS programming, hosted both on- and off-campus, connects Princeton to the Latin American world. From our graduate and undergraduate courses to travel experiences that span the region, the program takes pride in training the next generation of thinkers, while connecting them to those who are reshaping their respective fields today.

Fostering Engagement

Each year, PLAS sponsors and co-sponsors a broad array of programming, which serves to expand the conversation between students, faculty, and the public. Additionally, the program funds undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research; supports innovative study and travel via the competitive Paul E. Sigmund Scholars program and other awards; and facilitates undergraduate internships. PLAS also brings prominent scholars to Princeton through our Visiting Fellows program, whereby they are able to contribute to our course offerings while advancing their own research.