Senior Thesis Research Funding

The senior thesis is Princeton’s capstone undergraduate experience, allowing students to reflect on and demonstrate mastery developed over four years. PLAS travel funding supports rising seniors and seniors in the design and pursuit of on-the-ground research on Latin America and the Caribbean. Rising seniors must apply in the spring term through SAFE to conduct research during the summer preceding their senior year and seniors must apply in the fall term through SAFE to conduct research during intersession.  

Finding Context in Contact

PLAS certificate students typically focus their senior thesis on a topic related to Latin America or the Caribbean. Each year, a diversity of interests is reflected, from the effects of exoticism in Mexican beach resorts to the evolution of gang violence in Central America. PLAS senior-thesis funding supports those who aspire to deepen their research through hands-on experience.

Application Details

Eligibility

  • Rising juniors and seniors
  • Preference given to PLAS students

Parameters

  • Funding: Up to $3,000
  • Application cycles: Summer (rising seniors - apply through SAFE in the spring),  intersession (seniors - apply through SAFE in the fall)
  • Funding covers: Air and ground travel (coach only), room and board, living expenses
  • Not covered: Equipment, materials, and other expenditures
  • Restrictions: PLAS will not fund travel to countries on the U.S. State Department travel-warning list, unless an exception is granted by the University

Opportunities: Upon their return, students submit a one- to two-page synthesis of their research results. Awardees may be invited to present their results at a PLAS event.

Apply

Find complete application details via SAFE.

Seeking inspiration? 
See recent senior thesis topics, from politics and physics to history.