Puerto Rico Winter Institute

The Puerto Rico Winter Institute (PRWI) is a two-week seminar in collaboration with the College of Humanities at the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras (UPR). The program is led by UPR Professor Pedro Reina Perez. 

The program aims to:

• Establish a new, mutually productive exchange between Faculty and students from Harvard University and the University of Puerto Rico, in an annual seminar

• Foster conversation on themes of common interest for Puerto Rico that will lead to collaborations (publications, symposia, academic exchanges)

• Engender awareness and understanding of Puerto Rico and its present condition to produce new scholarship and expand academic ventures

• Take advantage of San Juan as a center of academic and intellectual activity at the crossroads of the hemisphere

• Enhance understanding among faculty and students through teaching and outreach activities

2024 Program Themes: Del Huerto a la Mesa: alimentación, ecología y cambio climático

This year’s Institute will focus on the challenges Puerto Rico faces in their agriculture and fishing industry due to climate change and its impact on food sovereignty, sustainability and culture. The program will combine an academic seminar with site visits to established projects and their communities. Connections between ecology, culture, law, and economic development, among others will be addressed in conversations with entrepreneurs, academics and community leaders.

January 2-17, 2024

2023-2024 Timeline for Applicants:

• September 18: DRCLAS Student Programs Info Session @ 4 PM
• October 5: PRWI Info Session (4 PM @ DRCLAS)
• October 5: Applications Open!
• October 10: Deadline to Apply for all Harvard students
• Late October: Invite-only interviews for candidates
• First week of November: Notifications of application status delivered 

12 students will be selected to participate in the seminar, from Harvard University and the University of Puerto Rico. Undergraduate and graduate students are both eligible to apply from all disciplines and schools. Preference will be given to graduate students, and/or students whose research interests best align with the themes of the seminar and region. Fluency in Spanish is required. All students must be in Good Academic Standing, and both enrolled in Fall 2023 and returning in the Spring 2024 Term, to be eligible. 

Each student will submit a final project/deliverable focused on selected topics relating to the program. A project blog will feature the writings of participants, together with photos and video.

• A completed application form via CARAT
  • Apply here
• Personal responses to the following prompts (writen in English or Spanish): 
  • Area of expertise, research interest(s), potential contribution(s) to the seminar and cohort
• Updated resume
• Current Fall 2023 Unofficial Transcript 
  • You must demonstrate proof of enrollment in Fall 2023 courses

The PRWI is generously funded for participants and therefore has no program fee.

Admitted Harvard students will be billed a $100 confirmation deposit to secure their spot.

A $1300 stipend will be provided to all participants to assist with participation (to be utilized for flights, meals, etc.). 

2023-2024 DRCLAS Cancellation/Withdrawal Policy: 

Please note that no students are obligated to confirm participation in DRCLAS programs once offered an opportunity. The following policy goes into effect once students officially complete the program contract and acceptance form online, confirming their participation in the DRCLAS Winter program. 

Please message any questions regarding cancellation fees to Rachel Murray-Crawford, Assistant Director of Student Programs.