Grant Programs
The Louisville Institute offers eight grant programs.
Each gives preference to proposals that creatively bring together
the wisdom of pastors and the wisdom of academics on behalf of American
Christians and their churches. Please consider carefully the descriptions
of these programs in deciding which program might be best for you. You may
apply to only one program during a given grant year. Click on the appropriate
link below for additional application information about each grant program.
Christian Faith & Life
The Christian Faith and Life Grant Program
supports research projects by academics and pastors designed to make more accessible to religious
believers the themes of Christian faith in relation to the realities of their contemporary lives.
Research periods may range from nine weeks to nine months. The maximum award is $40,000.
Dissertation Fellowship
The Dissertation Fellowship Program
offers $18,000 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.
First Book Grant for Minority Scholars
The 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.
Research periods may range from nine weeks to nine months. The maximum award is $40,000.
General Grant
The General Grant Program
makes grants in April, August, and December to support a limited number of individual or
collaborative projects by academics and/or pastoral leaders that will advance learning about the
conditions, challenges, and possibilities facing religious life in North America today. Grant size varies.
Pastoral Leadership
The Pastoral Leadership Grant
program supports research projects by pastors and academics on the nature and challenges of North American
pastoral leadership, with special attention to the conditions of contemporary Christian ministry and the
character of pastoral excellence. Research periods may range from nine weeks to nine months. The maximum
award is $40,000.
Religious Institutions
The Religious Institutions Grant Program
supports research projects by academics and pastors designed to encourage reflection on the theological,
historical, and sociological nature of and challenges to religious organizations and institutions in
contemporary North America. Research periods may range from nine weeks to nine months. The maximum award
is $40,000.
Sabbatical Grant for Pastoral Leaders
The Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders Program
provides pastoral leaders with sustained periods of time for 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.
Summer Stipend
The Summer Stipend Program
offers $9,000 grants to academics and pastors engaged in research projects pertaining to North American
Christianity, especially those related to the priorities of the Louisville Institute.