Louisville Institute: Pastoral Study Project Grant

The Louisville Institute's Pastoral Study Project Grant supports clergy and lay leaders with grants up to $20,000 for independent studies on Christian life. It aims to provide leaders with time and resources to explore meaningful questions in ministry and faith. The program encourages innovative research and community engagement, ultimately enriching the vitality of North American Christianity. Eligible candidates include those with theological training employed in diverse ministry contexts across the U.S. and Canada.

NOTE:

• The Pre-Proposal deadline represents when the Application is due.The Full Proposal deadline represents when the Letters of Recommendation are due.
• Pastoral Study Project

The Louisville Institute Pastoral Study Project Grant (PSP) awards grants of up to US$20,000 to support independent or collaborative study projects on Christian life, religious practices and institutions, and possibilities and ideas for the church, our communities, and the wider world. Grants are awarded to skilled and innovative clergy, lay leaders, and staff working in diverse Christian contexts in North America.
What are Pastoral Study Project grants?
Pastoral Study Project grants offer pastoral and ministry leaders time away from the daily demands of their work in order to dig deeply into significant questions of ministry, the church, and Christian faith in our communities and the wider world. Our Pastoral Study Project grants give you that chance: financial support of up to US$20,000 that provides time and resources to think, research, ask, learn, study, and reflect about that big idea you’ve been pondering. Grantees share their research through books and other publications, blogs and websites, podcasts, digital media and film, exhibits, worship, music, public presentations, classes, and more. These projects are lifegiving for grantees and their communities, and strengthen the vitality of North American Christianity.
Previous projects have examined topics like aging and dementia in congregations, social justice and racism in hospital chaplaincy, theologies of online worship, spiritual practices for college students from diverse backgrounds, and trauma and resilience in Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ Christian communities.
PSP Previous Grant Recipients
Previous PSP grants have been awarded to a variety of Christian leaders, including:

• clergy
• chaplains
• church and denominational staff
• Men and Women Religious
• members of monastic communities
• non-profit and parachurch staff
• artists and musicians
• independent researchers and writers
• pastoral counselors
• ordained ministers not currently employed in religious settings
• others regularly working in recognized positions of pastoral leadership
• What is the Pastoral Study Project Consultation?

The Pastoral Study Project Consultation is an annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky, for all PSP grantees. Grantees gather at the beginning of their grant period to learn from others, discuss and hone their projects, and imagine and discover new resources and possibilities. All travel, housing, and other expenses to participate in the gathering are covered by the Louisville Institute. Attending this event is a requirement of receiving a PSP grant.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates:have received theological education, training, and/or mentoring for Christian leadership
employed in diverse ministry contexts in the United States and CanadaPastoral Study Project Grants are intended for study and research.PSP grants can be used for:Time away from your regular job, such as salary replacement for unpaid time off, or for a temporary replacement or supply minister while you are on leave
Resources related to your learning, such as books, training, or consultations
Tools to facilitate your study, like library access, a recording device, or software or transcription programs
Travel directly related to your project and its investigation, such as to access archives, museums, or libraries, or for experiences connected to your project (e.g., historical settings, visiting sites, specific learning events, worship, or trainings)
Childcare or other family support you need to undertake your project
Compensation for research participants and partners, interviewees, focus groups, research assistants, and others who work on the project with youAny previous fellowships or grants from the Louisville Institute must be completed and final report submitted before applying for another LI fellowship or grant.

Ineligibility

PSP grants are not educational scholarships and cannot be used for tuition, expenses, or projects related to degree programs such as an M.Div. or a D.Min.
Ph.D. and Th.D students are not eligible for a Pastoral Study Project grant, but may apply for one of our fellowship programs.Faculty and administrators at institutions of higher education typically apply for Grant for Researchers rather than the Pastoral Study Project Grant.PSP funds cannot be used for:Your regular salary to continue your current job or an existing ministry
New programs or staff positions at your church or organization
Payment to “experts” to do research for you
Expenses in pursuit of a degree (M.Div., D.Min, Ph.D., etc.)
Tools for your everyday work, such as an office chair, desktop computer, or cell phoneMembers 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 US$55,000.