Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation is pleased to offer travel awards for PhD students wishing to explore Latin America, visit archives, museums, and art collections, and engage with local scholars.
The Exploratory Travel Award is intended to fund travel of 1–2 months in Latin America as preparation for more extensive archival and collections-based research in the future. As with other Thoma Foundation awards and fellowships for individuals, the Exploratory Travel Award is intended for projects that will contribute to the study of the Art of the Spanish Americas (roughly 16th–19th c.).
Projects will be considered from all areas of Latin America and the Caribbean; however, the Foundation will give preference to projects that make specific contributions to the history of painting and sculpture in viceregal South America.
The budget should include airfare, ground travel, accommodation, and a project allowance for research-related costs such as archival access or reproductions. The award may not be used for purchasing equipment or attending conferences.
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited PhD program and be at an early stage of their doctoral studies. This generally includes students in their first year of study in Europe or pre-candidacy in the United States.
The award is meant for students whose institutions do not already offer similar preliminary travel funding. Individuals based in Europe and Latin America, where comparable external funding opportunities are limited, are especially encouraged to apply.
The award supports the development of viable and innovative research projects that may later serve as the basis for applications to pre-doctoral fellowships, including the Marilynn Thoma Pre-doctoral Fellowship in Art of the Spanish Americas. During the 1–2 month travel period, recipients will visit archives, museums, and art collections, while also connecting with local scholars to refine their dissertation research plans.
Funds will be disbursed within six weeks of the deadline, and travel must begin within six months of receiving the award. Trips can take place during the academic year or summer break, with flexibility to ensure safety. Upon returning, awardees must submit a final report and budget detailing their research activities.
Applications require an online form, curriculum vitae, letter of recommendation from the PhD supervisor, project description of up to 1,200 words with a one-page bibliography, and a one-page travel budget not exceeding $5,000. The project description should outline the proposed research question, travel plans, and the role of the award in refining the dissertation proposal.
Applications will be evaluated by an anonymous jury based on the originality of the proposed research, its potential contribution to the field, and the applicant’s ability to execute the project. Proposals and recommendation letters may be submitted in English or Spanish.
The deadline for applications is January 15, 2026.
For more information, visit Thoma Foundation.