Sabbatical Grants for Researchers
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2009
The Louisville Institute seeks to identify and support ecclesially-engaged academics and intellectually-astute pastoral and religious leaders
whose scholarly research work can contribute to the vitality of Christianity in North America. For too long, a gap has separated church and academy,
preventing both pastors and academics from learning from each other. This gap renders the insights from religious scholarship largely unknown to church
leaders and the wisdom of church leaders unavailable to shape the sensibilities and research agenda of academics, making all the more important the mission of
the Louisville Institute to bring pastors and academics together.
Toward this end, the Louisville Institute offers this grant program in support of scholarly research by academics and pastors that can
enrich the life of the churches in North America. The Sabbatical Grants for Researchers program supports year-long sabbatical research projects that can contribute
to our enhanced understanding of important issues concerning Christian faith and life, pastoral leadership, and/or religious institutions.
Eligibility
Louisville Institute grant programs are open to both academic and pastoral leaders. Applicants must have earned the terminal degree in their
chosen vocation (e.g. M.Div., Ph.D., Th.D.). For pastors, this is typically the Master of Divinity degree; for academics it is usually the Ph.D. or Th.D. All applicants must
demonstrate a capacity to complete the proposed project in a timely fashion. Applicants may not submit applications to more than one Louisville Institute grant program
within the same grant year (June 1-May 31).
Proposed projects may employ a variety of methodological perspectives, including, but not limited to, historical, systematic and practical theology,
the social sciences, history, ethics, or biblical studies. They may also be interdisciplinary in nature. But all applicants should make clear how their project will contribute
to the life of the churches in North America.
Since the Sabbatical Grant for Researchers (SGR) program is new in 2009-2010, there are no previously awarded grant summaries to review on this web site. However, in order to gain a sense of the Louisville Institute’s grant-making priorities, applicants may wish to review summaries of successful proposals in SGR’s predecessor programs, Christian Faith and Life, Pastoral Leadership , and Religious Institutions.
Questions about eligibility may be sent to info@louisville-institute.org
Application and Selection Procedure
Application forms may be downloaded from the Louisville Institute web site. Applications include:
Applicant Information and Project Summary Form
A description, in 200 words or less, of the theme and outline of the project design. May be submitted online.
Narrative statement of approximately 5-7 pages (12-point and double-spaced). Please describe your
proposal in detail, using the following outline:
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Concern/Question: What is the primary concern or question being investigated?
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Rationale: Why is the proposed topic important to you and to the church? What are the consequences if this issue is not investigated and responded to?
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Plan: How do you intend to study and investigate the concern? Include a description of the way in which you will conduct the inquiry: bibliography of the
main sources to be read, field work if appropriate, travel and other resources necessary to complete the project.
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Dissemination: Who is your audience for this research? How do you plan to share your research with them? What oral forms of dissemination fit the
project (e.g. sermons, education venues, speeches, conference papers)? What written forms of dissemination fit the project
(e.g., essay, article, book, other publication venues)?
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Impact: What personal, academic, and spiritual impacts do you see for yourself in engaging in this project? What benefits will come to your institution and to the larger church?
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Timeline: What is the schedule and timeline for the project?
Selective bibliography of the main sources to be read (2-3 pages double-spaced)
Detailed budget and budget narrative. A document entitled, Guide for Budget Preparation
including sample budgets, is available on the Louisville Institute web site or by mail.
Copy of your current Curriculum Vitae or résumé (no more than 4 pages).
One letter of recommendation from someone who can speak knowledgeably about both you and your project.
These materials, except for the Applicant Information and Project Summary Form (if submitted online) should be assembled in the order listed above using paper clips and not staples, and mailed to the office of the Louisville Institute or submitted by email attachment to info@louisville-institute.org by the annual deadline of November 1. The letter of recommendation should be sent by the writer directly to the Louisville Institute by the application deadline.
Grantees will be chosen by a selection committee including at least two members of the Board of the Louisville Institute and one other person familiar
with the goals of the Sabbatical Grants for Researchers Program. Applications will be judged according to the extent to which they propose a coherent, persuasive, and
intellectually promising research project on a topic that fits firmly within the parameters of this grant program. Grant recipients will be notified in March and awards normally must be used during the following academic/grant year.
Duration of Award and Stipend
Research periods supported by this grant may range from nine months to one year. The grant amount requested should not exceed $40,000.
Normally, the Louisville Institute will pay the grant directly to the institutions of those selected. The Louisville Institute allows up to 10 percent indirect costs based on the
total direct costs of the project.
Conditions
Generally applicants should be released from all professional duties during the grant period. Academic applicants eligible for a sabbatical leave and/or
a release from all teaching responsibilities during the grant year should indicate that fact in their proposal. Pastors should be released from all employment duties during the
entire grant period. Academic and pastoral applicants who cannot be released from all professional duties should indicate in their proposals how they plan to devote sufficient
time to the proposed project. In many cases, for example, this may require a course buyout or some other reduction in teaching load or a buyout of a certain number of Sundays
for pastors. Louisville Institute grantees may not simultaneously hold two grants from Lilly Endowment-funded organizations that total more than $45,000.
Partner Program
The Louisville Institute works closely with the Clergy Renewal program of Lilly Endowment. While eligibility and financial requirements differ between the two programs,
some applicants are able to frame their proposals to fit both sets of program criteria. Applicants may submit proposals to both programs, but can receive a grant only from one.
In addition, neither program will offer grants to support pastors who have been supported by a grant in the other program in the five years preceding the current application.