Application Deadline

July 15, 2026

Institution or Organization

University of Notre Dame

Location

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

Website

https://latinostudies.nd.edu/graduate/young-scholars-symposium

Salary or Compensation

None

Description and Requirements

Annually, the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies (ILS) convenes advanced graduate students and junior scholars from across the nation for a two-day Young Scholars Symposium to enhance their Latino Studies research in a given theme. This year’s theme is Latinx representation in art and media. We invite applications from early career scholars conducting research related to any aspect of this year’s theme.

The symposium is co-hosted each year by a visiting senior scholar and Institute for Latino Studies Director Jason Ruiz, Professor of American Studies and Editor of American Quarterly. The 2026 senior scholar who will cohost the Symposium is Professor Chon A. Noriega, Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Film & Television at the University of California, Los Angeles. Selected participants will present a completed essay that will be reviewed by Professor Noriega and members of the Notre Dame faculty affiliated with ILS. All expenses are covered by ILS including an honorarium of $500. Up to eight participants will be selected.

The Institute for Latino Studies at Notre Dame fosters and develops research in Latino Studies from numerous disciplines, serves as one of the premier teaching and curricular institutes of its kind, and shapes the future of undergraduate and graduate students with a depth of understanding about the capacity of Latino communities to enrich all aspects of American society. We are pleased to re-launch the Young Scholars Symposium for 2026 after a multi-year hiatus and expect it to be a richly rewarding experience for all participants.

Application Instructions and Contact

Applicants in their final year of graduate study, postdocs, and junior faculty (tenure-track or non-tenure-track) who have not yet published their first book are eligible to apply to the ILS Young Scholars Symposium. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2026. Applicants should submit the following via this google form:

• Curriculum Vitae
• One letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor
• An application letter, under 2 pages, that presents
  • a summary of the dissertation project and/or overall research program;
  • a précis of the proposed essay submission for the symposium;
  • a statement of progress to date on the overall project and on the proposed essay, and;
  • a statement of how specifically Distinguished Visiting Professor Chon Noriega’s expertise and mentorship will enhance your research.

Questions may also be directed to jason.ruiz@nd.edu.