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Fellowship Tracks
Centroamérica en Ascenso Fellowship Tracks
Please review the two Fellowship tracks to determine your area of interest, learn about the host universities, and understand the eligibility requirements before you submit your fellowship application.
Applications are currently open for the fall 2024 semester (begins September 2024) or the spring 2025 semester (begins January 2025). Please review the tracks carefully to determine which start date and track is best suited for your situation.
These fellowship tracks will be updated regularly as university regulations and requirements change. All Fellowship Tracks include a designated university coordinator whose role is to support fellows as they arrive and adjust to life in the U.S. This support includes providing guidance on locating housing and enrolling in and navigating U.S. health insurance, learning about the host university, connecting with faculty and staff, networking with local organizations, and much more.
American University (AU), University of Florida (UF), and University of Notre Dame (ND) are hosting two fellowship tracks:
- Fellowship Track 1 – Non-degree Customized Fellowship Program (ND, UF)
- Fellowship Track 2 – Master of Laws Degree (LLM) in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (AU)
Applicants will rank their track preference in their application and rank your preferred start semester (fall 2024 or spring 2025). The program works closely with the three universities to identify which track is a best fit with the applicant’s qualifications, experience, academic background, and stated goals based on the requirements and capacity of each university. Fellows are placed at universities based on the best fit in a fellowship track and start date. Preference on university is not the only criteria for matching candidates with fellowship tracks.
Email the program team at HRD@iie.org with questions in English or Spanish.
Fellowships starting in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025
FELLOWSHIP TRACK 1 – Non-Degree Customized Fellowship Program
University 1 – University of Notre Dame
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Fellows participating in non-degree customized fellowship programs at University of Notre Dame will be hosted by the Pulte Institute for Global Development. Fellows will to take part in a self-directed fellowship designed around the fellow’s subject area and professional goals. Fellowships can include academic/professional mentorship, auditing courses, guest lecturing, hosting seminars, lectures, conferences, and discussions, support for research and publication, professional networking, and an annual fellow symposium. Fellows will have the opportunity to connect with such resources such as the Central America Research Alliance (CARA) which is a scholarly partnership amongst the Pulte Institute, the Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs, and higher education, research, and human rights institutions across the U.S. and Central America.
- Location: South Bend, Indiana
- Length: One – Two Years
- September 2024 – May 2025
- September 2024 – May 2026
- January 2025 – December 2025
- January 2025 – December 2026
- Eligibility: Completed undergraduate degree strongly preferred. Applicants must demonstrate that their professional experience contributes to the ability to be successful in a tailored fellowship program. English proficiency is required. Candidates will be requested to outline professional goals aligned with a self-directed project to complete during the fellowship.
- Language of Fellowship: English
- English Language Requirement: No test score required.
- Application materials must be in English or translated into English. English proficiency is required to fully participate in the opportunities of this fellowship track.
- University Website: https://www.nd.edu/
- Host Department: University of Notre Dame Pulte Institute for Global Development
- University Resources:
University 2 – University of Florida
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Fellows participating in non-degree customized fellowship programs at University of Florida will be hosted by the Center for Latin American Studies. Fellows may pursue individual research using university resources such as the Latin American Collection, which is one of the most complete libraries on Latin America in the world. Fellows are able to take English courses and audit classes during the first semester of the fellowship while working collaboratively with the Center to design opportunities for networking, mentorship, and skill-building to further their work in their home country. Select fellows will have the chance to lecture or co-teach with university faculty starting in spring 2025. Fellows can be matched with Center for Latin American Studies affiliate faculty, who work across the university and devote at least 25% of their work to research, teaching, or service to Latin America.
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
- Length: One -Two Years
- January 2025 – December 2025
- January 2025 – December 2026
- Eligibility: Completed undergraduate degree preferred. Applicants must demonstrate that their professional experience contributes to the ability to be successful in a tailored fellowship program.
- Language of Fellowship: English (primary) and Spanish (secondary)
- English Language Requirement: No test score required.
- Application materials preferred in English but will be accepted in Spanish.
- University Website: https://www.ufl.edu/
- Host Department: University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies
- University Resources:
FELLOWSHIP TRACK 2 – Degree Seeking Program
University 3 – American University
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Master of Laws Degree (LLM) in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Fellows earning an LL.M at American University will have the opportunity to complete an LL.M degree while connecting with internationally renowned faculty and practitioners in the human rights field. Fellows will complete 24 credits of coursework over spring, a short summer semester, and fall. Fellows may choose to take 10 credits of coursework delivered in Spanish through the university’s hybrid model. The LL.M student body is highly international with many students and faculty working on issues in Latin and Central America.
- University: Washington College of Law, American University
- Location: Washington, DC
- Length: Spring Semester-Summer Program-Fall Semester (January 2025 – December 2025)
- Eligibility: Must have an undergraduate or graduate degree in law.
- Applicants will be required to complete the American University LL.M application, which includes providing official copies of academic records, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and official proof of English competency if opting for the LL.M in English.
- Language of Instruction: English and Spanish
- English Language Requirement for LL.M in English: TOEFL iBT score of 84 or Duolingo score of 110.
- Application materials may be submitted in English or Spanish.
- University Website: https://www.wcl.american.edu/
- Host College: Washington College of Law
- University Resources: