The First Book Grant (FBG) for Research on Minoritized Christian Communities in North America

The First Book Grant (FBG) for Research on Minoritized Christian Communities in North America provides grants up to $55,000 (USD) supporting research leaves to complete book projects addressing studies of Christian faith and practice in the United States or Canada, examining how communities’ religious beliefs, worship, leadership, and institutions are shaped by social history, migration, and cultural difference in North American contexts. The First Book Grant supports early-career scholars, especially those teaching at theological schools, while they complete research and writing for publication of their first book (or a second book, if necessary for tenure).

Application due date: January 15, 2027 (11:59 p.m. EDT)

Project grant amount: up to $55,000 (USD)

Project timeframe: academic year 2027-2028

Awards announced: April 2027

Winter Seminar: January 2028

What is the First Book Grant for Research on Minoritized Christian Communities in North America?

The First Book Grant (FBG) for Research on Minoritized Christian Communities in North America supports academic/sabbatical leave for early-career scholars, particularly those teaching at theological schools, who are completing the research and writing required for publication of their first scholarly book (or, when necessary for tenure or promotion, a second book). Awards are made based on scholarly merit, feasibility, and the project’s contribution to the study and practice of minoritized Christianity and Christian-related institutions and social issues that bridge the North American church and academy. Preference is given to studies already underway, including manuscripts under contract or active consideration with an academic publisher.

Applicants should be pre-tenured faculty members working in full-time, tenure-track or renewable contract/continual academic positions at accredited institutions of higher education (seminary, theological school, or college/university) in the United States or Canada. The FBG typically buys academic release to enable scholars to spend a full school year devoted to the research project free from teaching, administrative, and service obligations. Grants awarded in the 2027 cycle will fund sabbaticals taking place during the 2027-2028 academic year, or during the 2027 calendar year.

You can read more about previous FBG grantees and their projects on our website.

What do I need to know to apply?

Who is eligible for a First Book Grant?

Eligible candidates: 

    • have earned a terminal research degree, typically a Ph.D. or Th.D.
    • are pre-tenured faculty members working in full-time, tenure-track or renewable contract/continual academic positions at accredited institutions of higher education (seminary, theological school, or college/university) in the United States or Canada
    • have faced significant adversity in their professional lives or careers defined broadly as circumstances that create significant barriers to opportunity, stability, or well-being, e.g., experiences of discrimination, medical diagnoses or health challenges, economic/financial hardship, natural disasters or environmental crises, traumatic events
    • can negotiate release time of up to a full academic year free from teaching and administrative responsibilities
    • are engaged in a scholarly research project leading to publication of their first book, or a second book if necessary for tenure at their institution
    • may work in various fields such as history, systematic and practical theology, social science, ethics, biblical studies, etc., or be interdisciplinary

Additional eligibility information:

    • Doctoral students are not eligible for a First Book Grant but may be eligible for one of our fellowship programs.

See additional stipulations below. For questions about grant eligibility, please refer to the 2027 FBG Application Guide.

How can I use First Book Grant funds?

    • FBG funds typically buy release time from academic duties, usually to support a second term or semester of academic release to supplement an existing semester/term sabbatical. If you teach at an institution of higher education that does not grant sabbaticals and/or if you are in a full-time, permanent teaching position that does not include sabbatical leave, contact us to discuss your eligibility before applying for this grant at grants@louisville-institute.org.
    • The total amount of a First Book Grant is typically designated for salary/benefit replacement for sabbatical/research leave. However, if you are requesting funds for research materials or assistance, travel, or other resources beyond research leave, you will need to prepare a line-item and an explanatory budget narrative (see below).
    • For questions about grant proposals, please email grants@louisville-institute.org.

What is Winter Seminar?

First Book grantees also attend Winter Seminar, a two-day gathering where award recipients from three different Louisville Institute programs gather to share their projects and engage in valuable collaboration together. Winter Seminar for this grant cycle will take place in January 2028. Approved travel and lodging expenses for participation in the Winter Seminar are covered by the Louisville Institute. Attending this event is a requirement for receiving a First Book Grant.

How do I apply?

  1. Review the eligibility requirements.
  2. Create an account. Click on the “Apply” button to create an account in the application portal.
  3. Prepare your materials. Complete applications require the following (see the Application Guide for full details):
      1. General Application Information
      2. Statement of Significant Adversity
      3. Project Summary
      4. Project Narrative
      5. Bibliography
      6. Line Item Budget & Budget Narrative
      7. Curriculum Vitae or resume
      8. Two Letters of Recommendation
      9. Letter of Release
  4. All application elements are submitted online through our application portal.
  5. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST January 15, 2027, and letters of recommendation are due from the recommenders January 22, 2027.

What is the Selection process for First Book Grants?

The Louisville Institute appoints a selection committee to review proposals and award First Book Grants. The selection committee meets about 8 weeks after the application due date. In 2027, we will award 3 First Book Grants. Previously, we have typically received approximately 20 applications each cycle. However, we received over 70 in 2026 for this highly competitive award. All applicants are notified by email as soon as possible after the selection process. Awards will be announced publicly in April 2027.

Additional Eligibility Information for all Grants & Fellowships

    • You are welcome to apply again for any of our grants or fellowships – in fact, it’s very common! However, you may only apply for one grant or fellowship between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027.
    • Any previous fellowships or grants from the Louisville Institute must be completed and final reports submitted before applying for another LI fellowship or grant.
    • Members of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary staff, faculty, Board of Trustees, or student body, or their immediate family members (parents, spouses, or children), are ineligible for Louisville Institute grants or fellowships. Members of the Louisville Institute Advisory Board and their immediate family members are also ineligible to apply.
    • Louisville Institute grantees may not simultaneously hold two individual grants from Lilly Endowment-funded organizations that together total more than $55,000 (USD). Please contact us if you have any questions about this stipulation: grants@louisville-institute.org. Individual grants are those held by the same project director, not necessarily the same institution.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us at grants@louisville-institute.org

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