June 2, 2026 (Louisville, KY) — Louisville Institute is proud to announce the selection of ten fellows for its 2026 Dissertation Fellowship program.

The Dissertation Fellowship supports advanced Ph.D. and Th.D. students whose research engages questions at the heart of Christian faith and life, including the practice of ministry, religious movements and institutions, and the place of religion in the social fabric of the United States and Canada. Fellows are selected through a competitive, peer-review process evaluating scholarly merit, research significance, and alignment with the Louisville Institute’s mission. The ten fellows represent a diverse range of institutions, disciplines, and research commitments, reflecting the breadth of contemporary theological scholarship.

In addition to the grant funding, Dissertation Fellows are expected to participate in the Louisville Institute’s Winter Seminar in January during their award year, a gathering designed to foster community, intellectual exchange, and vocational formation among emerging theological scholars.

“The dissertations these scholars are developing reflect the vitality and relevance of theological scholarship today, engaging questions that matter deeply to both the church and the academy,” commented Grant Program Manager, Casey Smith. “I am excited that Louisville Institute can support their work at this important stage,” she added.

“This cohort exemplifies the continuity of rigorous, church-engaged scholarship, since the fellowship’s inception, that the Louisville Institute exists to support,” said Vanessa Lovelace, Executive Director. “We look forward to seeing their research contribute meaningfully to theological education and the communities these scholars serve.”

2026 Dissertation Fellowship Recipients