Doctoral Fellowship

The two-year Louisville Institute Doctoral Fellowship invites Ph.D. and Th.D. students currently in their first or second year of a doctoral program to consider theological education as a vocation. Doctoral Fellows receive $3,000 (USD) each year for two years, and join with a peer cohort of other fellows for three formational gatherings each year as part of the Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative. Preference for Doctoral Fellowships is given to students who demonstrate an interest in theological education as a vocation, who express an understanding of the current challenges and opportunities of theological education, and who articulate connections between their doctoral work and these trends and dynamics. The Louisville Institute understands theological education as encompassing the academic study and teaching of religion and its practices, as well as formation for ministry, leadership, social justice and public service, nonprofit and other agency work. As part of the Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative (VTE), fellows participate in conversation, discernment, collegiality, and connection with other scholars and pastors to engage deep questions of theology, justice, pedagogy, ministry, and vocation. Three times a year (October, January, & May), LI Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows gather in Louisville, KY, for vocational and professional formation, relationship building, and mutual support. The VTE Initiative comprises both Doctoral Fellows in the early stages of their doctoral programs, and Postdoctoral Fellows who have completed their degrees and are placed in two-year teaching positions throughout North America. All expenses for participating in the VTE gatherings, held in Louisville, KY, are covered by the Louisville Institute.