How to Apply
Please review the Grant Programs page as well as the section on the
particular grant program in which you are interested in order to assess your eligibility.
Please note that the application process for the Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders
Program differs considerably from our other grant programs. Some portions of your grant application
may be submitted online. To do so, you must first establish an account. This will enable you to
begin and finish your grant application at different points in time and allow us to track your
application data. To establish an account click here.
Please note that letters of recommendation and transcripts, where required, must be submitted in hard copy.
WRITING A GRANT PROPOSAL FOR THE LOUISVILLE INSTITUTE
All Louisville Institute grant proposals include the following, all of which may be submitted online or as
e-mail attachments:
-
Applicant Information and Project Summary Form (a one-paragraph summary of the argument that may be submitted
online; if you prefer not to send it online, {click here to download} a pdf version of the form and mail
it instead.)
-
Narrative statement of approximately 5-7 pages (double-spaced and typed in a 12 point font, 2000 word limit)
that succinctly describes the proposed research project and explains its relationship to the goals of the
particular grant program (can be submitted online).
-
Selective bibliography (2-3 pages double-spaced; can be submitted online).
-
Copy of your current Curriculum Vitae or résumé (no more than 4 pages; can be submitted online).
Some grant programs also require one or more of the following, all of which may be submitted as e-mail
attachments except for letters of recommendation and transcripts:
-
Detailed budget and budget narrative (see the document entitled, "Guide for Budget Preparation".
-
One or more letters of recommendation.
-
Transcripts (for Dissertation Fellowship applications).
-
Dissertation Fellowship Program Additional Information Form.
In all grant programs, The Louisville Institute makes grants in response to well-written,
persuasive grant proposals. An effective grant proposal, especially for a research grant,
advances an argument about a significant issue or research problem in a way that is clear and accessible.
Except for proposals to the Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program, it usually contains the following elements.
-
A one-paragraph summary of the argument (provided on the Applicant Information and Project Summary Form).
-
A clear description of the issue or problem and its significance. A good grant proposal should indicate why making progress on this issue is important to church and society.
-
A description of the proposed approach to the issue or problem (the method to be followed).
-
An explanation of what you expect to find or accomplish. This may be a fairly precise hypothesis or an educated hunch about your anticipated results.
-
Some indication of how you intend both to assess the success of your project (evaluation) and to share your findings with others (dissemination). Many otherwise fine proposals pay far too little attention to evaluation and dissemination. Both are essential.
-
Some attention to the ways in which this project contributes to our understanding of contemporary North American religious life.
-
Given the Louisville Institute’s fundamental mission to bring pastors and academics together, preference will be given to projects that involve both groups in the research process.
In addition to research grants, the Louisville Institute also makes General Grants to pastors, congregations,
judicatories, and others to support projects intended to strengthen American church life. Proposals for these
kinds of projects may not always follow closely the research proposal format, but they should clearly describe
both the nature of the proposed project and its importance to the church. If a grant is made to support your
project, what difference will it make to the life of the church?
The ultimate intent of all Louisville Institute grantmaking is the same—to bring together academics, pastors,
and other religious leaders on behalf of North American Christians and their churches.
Annual Grant Application Deadlines: