University Times

Latin American Studies Assn. gets $2 million Ford Foundation grant

The Latin American Studies Association (LASA), hosted by Pitt's Center for International Studies, has received an endowment grant of $2 million from the Ford Foundation.

The contribution raises the LASA endowment to nearly $2.9 million.

Income from the endowment will be used primarily to finance the participation of scholars and practitioners in Latin America and the Caribbean in LASA's international congresses. LASA is committed to the principle that Latin American studies is viable as a field only if scholars from around the world — particularly those residing in the Latin American region — can participate.

LASA, founded in 1966, is the largest professional association of Latin Americanists in the world. It currently services 4,900 international members, both individual and institutional. Pittsburgh has been home to the association since 1986.

Reid Reading, LASA executive director, praised the Ford Foundation for its long-standing commitment to the study of Latin America and for its investment in LASA programs over the years.