Concordia College

Grants

Bush Foundation
The Bush Foundation in St. Paul, Minn., has a Leadership Fellows Program which provides funding to support the educational goals of people so that they can serve more effectively as leaders in their communities and professions. Pastors are among those eligible. The fellowships are for periods from two to 18 months, and persons age 28 to 55. E-mail info@bushfoundation.org or call 651.227.0891).
 
CrossCurrents Research Colloquium
The Coolidge Fellows program awards grants for one-month study programs at a cluster of New York City schools: Union Theological Seminary, Auburn, Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia University, Teachers College. The focus is on cross-cultural learning. Requires a research or writing project. Participants pay a $125 registration fee and travel; the fellowship takes care of other costs. There is a March 1 deadline. Contact CrossCurrents, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805.

Harvard Divinity School
Ask about the Merrill Fellowship Program, which provides tuition and a stipend of $2,200 to cover expenses of room and board. Four sabbatical fellowships offered each term. Recipients may study at Harvard or other affiliated schools of the Boston Theological Institute. Call 617-496-2943.
 
Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program
A limited number of grants of up to $30,000 each to Christian congregations and pastors with a Master of Divinity. Application by Aug. 1. Up to $10,000 may be used by the congregation to fulfill pastoral functions during the pastor’s absence; the rest is for the pastor’s sabbatical. Contact 317.916.7302 or clergyrenewal@yahoo.com.

Louisville Institute
The Louisville Institute (funded by Lilly Endowment) offers sabbatical grants for pastoral leaders to provide them with sustained periods of time for reflective engagement with their life and work and issues related to contemporary religious leadership. Up to 60 grants of $10,000 or $15,000 for sabbaticals of eight or 12 weeks, respectively, will be awarded. Deadline for applications is Sept. 15. Contact 502.992.5431 or info@louisville-institute.org
 
Pastor-Theologian Program
This is a program of extended study (three years), funded by the Lilly Endowment and centered at Princeton. The deadline is May 1. They also have a highly selective pastor-in-residence program (one per year, by invitation). Contact 609.683.4797.
 
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Program of extended study, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Contact 888.728.7228, ext. 5732.

Benjamin N. Duke Fellowships
To inquire about these fellowships for clergy sabbaticals at Duke Divinity School, contact Janice Virtue at 919.660.3448.
 
The Proctor Scholarship
The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., has a scholarship for a one-semester residence for clergy and laity. Covers tuition, a single room, and 15 meals per week. Can include courses as well as individual study. Contact amacione@epoisdivschool.org.
 
Local Sources:
Check with your judicatory for funding sources. Some have funds for this purpose. In addition, charitable organizations may also be able to supply such funds.