The Louisville Institute
Deadline: Varies (see below)
The Louisville Institute offers grants to support both pastoral sabbaticals and research by scholar/pastors and scholar/educators that strengthen the religious life of North American Christians and their institutions while simultaneously advancing American religious and theological scholarship. These grant programs aim to serve three strategic constituencies whose competence and well being are essential to the future of the church: pastors, younger scholars, and researchers and scholars for the broader church. In doing so, they also seek to advance our understanding of three issues of importance to both church and academy: Christian faith and life, pastoral leadership, and religious institutions.
Keep in mind that you may only apply to one program during a given grant year. For more detailed descriptions and applications procedures follow the links below.
Grant Programs for Pastors
Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program provides pastoral leaders with sustained periods of time for rest, renewal, and reflective engagement with their life and work and issues related to contemporary religious leadership. Grants of $10,000 or $15,000 support sabbaticals of eight or twelve weeks respectively.
Deadline: November 1
Pastoral Study Project Program offers pastoral leaders opportunity to conduct serious investigation of issues related to Christian life, faith, and ministry. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for study projects involving full or partial leave from the responsibilities of ministry.
Deadline: September 1
Grants for Younger Scholars
Dissertation Fellowship Program offers $19,000 grants to support the final year of Ph.D. or Th.D. dissertation writing for students engaged in research pertaining to North American Christianity, especially projects related to the current program priorities of the Louisville Institute. Deadline: February 1
First Book Grant Program for Minority Scholars assists junior, non-tenured religion scholars of color to complete a major research project on an issue in North American Christianity related to the priorities of the Louisville Institute. Grant periods are typically one academic year in length. The maximum award is $40,000.
Deadline: January 15
Grants Programs for Researchers and Scholars for a Broader Church
Project Grant for Researchers Program supports a diverse range of research and research-related projects undertaken in the interest of believing communities. Projects might include short-term periods of research, consultations about one’s research involving pastors and academics, or collaborative, innovative projects that promise to enhance learning and strengthen the church. Particularly attractive to the Louisville Institute are projects that involve both academics and pastors in genuinely collaborative inquiry. All funded projects should involve substantial opportunity for learning that will benefit the church. Grant amounts up to $25,000 are available.
Deadline: October 1
Sabbatical Grant for Researchers Program assists research and writing projects that will advance religious and theological scholarship in ways that also address practical issues concerning Christian faith and life, pastoral leadership, and/or religious institutions. Ordinarily applicants will be fully employed in accredited academic institutions and will be eligible for up to a full academic year leave from teaching. Pastoral applicants are also encouraged to apply. Grant amounts up to $40,000 are available.
Deadline: November 1
Click here for more information.
(last checked 1/26/17)