CALAS - Center for Advanced Latin American Studies

What CALAS - Center for Advanced Latin American Studies does

CALAS (Centro María Sibylla Merian de Estudios Latinoamericanos Avanzados en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales) is a non-profit academic research center founded in 2017 and headquartered in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, at the Universidad de Guadalajara's CUCSH-Belenes campus. It is dedicated to strengthening transdisciplinary and trans-regional academic cooperation in the Social Sciences and Humanities between Latin America and Germany, operating under the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)-backed Maria Sibylla Merian Center network. Its core offerings include four interconnected Research Groups (on peace, social inequality, environmental crisis, and strategic identities), Knowledge Laboratories running on 1.5-year research cycles, Individual Fellowships (with monthly stipends of EUR 3,000 for senior fellows), Transatlantic Tandem partnerships, Guest Chairs at affiliated universities in Germany and Latin America, and Platforms for Dialogue.

The center's underlying methodology centers on 'Horizontal Knowledge Production' and a 'Horizon Analysis Framework' that defines horizons as fields in constant motion arising from the tension between space of experience and horizon of expectations. CALAS disseminates outputs through peer-reviewed essay collections (notably 'Afrontar las Crisis' in partnership with CLACSO), university press publications (Editorial Universidad de Guadalajara, Bielefeld University Press, Routledge), podcasts ('Acentos Latinoamericanos', 'Anthropocene Soundscapes'), and an active program of international congresses and symposia. The center operates four regional hubs in San José (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), plus guest chairs at Hamburg Institute for Advanced Studies and the Universities of Bielefeld, Kassel, and Hannover.

Its business model is institutional grant-funded rather than commercial: core operating revenue flows from the BMBF via the Maria Sibylla Merian Center program, supporting fellowship stipends, research stays, publications, and event programming. The center does not charge fees to researchers and does not commercialize products. Its customer base consists of academic researchers, fellows, and partner institutions rather than paying clients, making BMBF the de facto anchor 'customer' for funding continuity. In 2025, CALAS transitioned into a second multi-year program phase (2025-2029) titled 'Creating Horizons: Accelerations, Transformations, and Emergencies'.

Name

CALAS - Center for Advanced Latin American Studies

Legal name

Centro María Sibylla Merian de Estudios Latinoamericanos Avanzados en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales

Website

https://calas.lat

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CALAS is a BMBF-funded, non-profit academic research center founded in 2017 and based in Guadalajara, Mexico, that runs transdisciplinary fellowships, Knowledge Laboratories, and publications on Latin American crises, connecting researchers across Latin America and Germany through four regional centers and partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAI

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYEDAIAOAJ

Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Scholarships, Funding & Financial Aid for International Study

SECONDARYEDAIAJAA

University-Affiliated Pathway & Foundation Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Overseas Pathway, Foundation & Bridging Programs

Keywords

• Academic research center
• Social sciences research
• Latin American studies
• Research fellowship programs
• Transdisciplinary humanities

Headquarters

HQ city

Guadalajara

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding: CALAS receives core funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the Maria Sibylla Merian Centers network, supporting transatlantic academic cooperation between Latin America and Germany.
2. Research Fellowship Grants: The center distributes fellowships to researchers including monthly stipends (EUR 3,000 for senior fellows), travel expenses, and family support, funded through institutional partnerships.
3. Publication and Knowledge Dissemination: CALAS produces publications including essay collections ('Afrontar las crisis' series), academic journals, podcasts ('Acentos Latinoamericanos', 'Anthropocene Soundscapes'), and collaborative works with CLACSO and university presses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CALAS is a non-profit academic research center that operates transdisciplinary research programs (Knowledge Laboratories of 1.5-year duration), Individual Fellowships with monthly stipends (EUR 3,000 for senior fellows), Guest Chairs at partner universities, and Transatlantic Tandem partnerships. It produces scholarly publications, podcasts, and academic events focused on Latin American crises including violence/peace, social inequalities, environmental issues, and strategic identities, funded primarily by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the Maria Sibylla Merian Centers network.

Product overview

CALAS (Centro María Sibylla Merian de Estudios Latinoamericanos Avanzados) is an academic research center dedicated to strengthening transdisciplinary and trans-regional academic cooperation in the Social Sciences and Humanities between Latin America and Germany. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected research offerings including: four thematic Research Groups exploring peace, inequalities, environmental crises, and strategic identities; Knowledge Laboratories providing comprehensive 1.5-year research formats; Individual Fellowships for distinguished experts; Guest Chairs hosted at partner institutions; Transatlantic Tandem collaborative research partnerships; Platforms for Dialogue as academic forums; and Science Communication products including podcasts (Acentos Latinoamericanos, Anthropocene Soundscapes). CALAS does not offer technical products or software services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Knowledge Laboratories (Laboratorios de Conocimiento) Comprehensive 1.5-year research format conducted at CALAS headquarters in Guadalajara (Mexico) with activities across regional centers in Latin America and academic spaces in Germany. Each laboratory brings together coordinators and at least 10 invited fellows to conduct collaborative transdisciplinary research on specific thematic lines.
• Individual Fellowships Senior research fellowships offering distinguished experts in Latin American Studies opportunities for research stays at CALAS headquarters in Guadalajara and regional centers in San José (Costa Rica), Quito (Ecuador), and Buenos Aires (Argentina). Six annual fellowships are granted with monthly stipends of EUR 3,000, round-trip airfare, travel to regional centers, and family support.
• Guest Chairs CALAS-implemented guest chairs hosted at affiliated partner institutions including the University of Havana (Cuba), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), Hamburg Institute for Advanced Studies (Germany), and Universities of Bielefeld and Kassel (Germany), offering research stays of up to six months at advanced research environments.
• Transatlantic Tandem Collaborative research partnerships pairing Latin American and European researchers working on CALAS-related topics to enable transatlantic academic cooperation between the regional network and German partner universities.
• Platform for Dialogue Academic discussion forums addressing topics such as power, cultural hegemony, and authoritarian tendencies in Latin America and the Caribbean, featuring transdisciplinary perspectives from Social Sciences and Humanities scholars.
• Acentos Latinoamericanos Podcast Weekly scientific podcast producing episodes on current debates in Latin America, including feminism, decolonization, political polarization, and education, produced by Olvia Maisterra Sierra and Jochen Kemner with distinguished academic guests.
• Anthropocene Soundscapes Trilingual audiovisual project developed between institutions in Mexico, Argentina, and Germany focusing on environmental and anthropological themes related to the Anthropocene crisis.
• Publications and Book Collections CALAS publishes research through the 'Afrontar las Crisis' (Facing Crises) collection, CALAS-CLACSO co-publications, and the Editorial Universidad de Guadalajara series, covering topics from COVID-19 impacts to environmental crises and social inequalities. Distributed through Editorial Universidad de Guadalajara, CLACSO, Routledge, and Bielefeld University Press.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Universidad de GuadalajaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary host institution providing headquarters facilities at Centro Universitario de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades (CUCSH), Campus Belenes. Provides physical infrastructure, library access, research facilities, and administrative support for CALAS operations.
• University of BielefeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey German partner institution involved in co-developing research programs, hosting guest chairs, and providing academic supervision for fellows. Collaborates on transatlantic tandem research projects.
• University of KasselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman partner hosting guest chairs and collaborating on research programs. Provides academic exchange opportunities for CALAS fellows.
• Hamburg Institute for Advanced Studies (HIAS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman research institute hosting CALAS guest chairs for periods of up to six months. Provides advanced research environment for visiting scholars.
• FLACSO (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network of social sciences institutions across Latin America. Collaborates on publications, joint research initiatives, and academic community building.
• University of Costa RicamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CALAS Regional Center Central America and the Caribbean. Collaborates on regional research activities and hosts international congresses.
• FLACSO EcuadormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CALAS Regional Center Andean Region in Quito. Provides facilities and academic support for regional research activities.
• Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CALAS Regional Center Southern Cone and Brazil in Buenos Aires. Collaborates on regional research programs and hosts fellows.
• Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts CALAS Guest Chair in Brazil at Instituto de Estudos Avançados Transdisciplinares for three-month research periods.
• CLACSO (Latin American Council of Social Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor collaborative partnership for joint publication series including CALAS-CLACSO collections. Facilitates academic network access and collaborative research initiatives.
• Editorial Universidad de GuadalajaramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity press partnership for publishing research outputs, essay collections, and academic works from CALAS fellows.
• University of HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman partner institution participating in the CALAS academic network for research exchange and collaboration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE): CIDE is a prominent Mexican public research and graduate institution in social sciences with regional impact. Comparable as a Mexican-based social sciences research and education center, though with stronger focus on policy research and economics than CALAS.

Broad incumbents

• Institute of Latin American Studies, Columbia University: Columbia's ILAS is a major U.S.-based Latin American studies center offering fellowships, publications, and area studies programming. Comparable in mission and audience to CALAS, though it operates at significantly larger scale from a U.S. university base.
• Center for Latin American Studies, University of Miami: The University of Miami's Center for Latin American Studies is a long-established regional studies center with fellowships, conferences, and applied research on Latin America. Comparable in academic focus and audience though based at a U.S. private university.
• David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University: Harvard's DRCLAS is a longstanding, well-funded Latin American studies center with fellowships, publications, and regional programs. Comparable as a major Latin American studies research center, though much larger and more established than CALAS.

Direct peers

• FLACSO - Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales: FLACSO is a UN-affiliated regional network of social sciences institutions across Latin America. It is directly comparable as a Latin American social sciences research and graduate education network with multiple country offices and a similar mission to advance transdisciplinary scholarship in the region.
• Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies Africa (MIASA): MIASA is a Merian Center in Ghana with the same BMBF programmatic structure as CALAS, including Knowledge Laboratories, fellowships, and African–European academic cooperation. Directly comparable as a sister center within the same funding family.
• CLACSO - Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales: CLACSO is a Latin American council of social sciences with hundreds of member research centers and universities. It is directly comparable to CALAS as a continental social sciences network producing joint publications, fellowships, and collaborative research across Latin America.
• Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Sister Merian Center in Tunisia focused on Maghreb–Europe academic cooperation under the same BMBF funding framework. Directly comparable as a regionally-anchored transdisciplinary Merian Center with Knowledge Laboratories, fellowships, and a headquarters-plus-regional-hubs operating model.

Emerging players

• Center for Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Studies (CIAS), University of Bielefeld: CIAS is a CALAS partner institution at the University of Bielefeld focused on interAmerican and intercultural studies. Comparable as a smaller, methodologically-focused Latin American studies unit and as the German academic anchor for CALAS transatlantic tandems.
• Katz Center for Mexican Studies, University of Chicago: The Katz Center focuses specifically on Mexican studies through fellowships and publications, comparable to CALAS's thematic specialization in Latin America. Operates as a niche, well-funded university-based center with a similar audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/calascenter.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCK-9dlu6exvTEqb9Nxaiy8A
• Facebookfacebook.com/CALAS-Center-for-Advanced-Latin-American-Studies-1951405725082495
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calascenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/calas.center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CALAS - Center for Advanced Latin American Studies