First Book Grant for Scholars of Color

First Book Grant for Scholars of Color

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Louisville Institute
Amount: Up to US $55,000
Last Updated: December 06, 2025

Summary

The First Book Grant for Scholars of Color (FBG) offers up to $55,000 to support early-career, pre-tenured scholars of color in completing significant research projects related to Christian faith and life, religious trends, and social issues. This grant aims to facilitate the publication of their first book, enhancing the connection between academic scholarship and the church in North America, while prioritizing projects that are already underway.

Overview

NOTE: The Pre-Proposal deadline represents when the Application is due.The Full Proposal deadline represents when the Letters of Recommendation are due. First Book Grant for Scholars of Color The First Book Grant for Scholars of Color (FBG) provides grants up to $55,000 to assist early career, pre-tenured religion scholars of color to complete a major research project about Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues. Projects may be rooted in fields such as history, systematic and practical theology, social science, ethics, biblical studies, etc., or may be interdisciplinary in nature. Of particular interest to the Louisville Institute are projects that bridge academic scholarship and the life of the church in North America. What is the First Book Grant for Scholars of Color? The First Book Grant for Scholars of Color (FBG) supports academic sabbatical leave for research projects about Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues. The intention of the First Book Grant is to help early-career scholars of color compete research and writing for publication of their first book (or a second book, if necessary for tenure). We are especially interested in projects that demonstrate a desire to bridge the North American church and academy, and preference is given to studies already underway (e.g., projects under contract or consideration with a 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 that enables scholars to spend a full school year devoted to the research project free from teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Eligibility

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