Grant for Researchers

The Louisville Institute Grant for Researchers (GFR) is a new grant program that provides grants of up to $55,000 (USD) to support scholarly research in Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues. This program supports academic and scholarly research in North American Christianity and related and cognate fields. Of particular interest to the Louisville Institute are projects that bridge scholarship and the life of the church in North America. Grants may be awarded for sabbatical and other research leave, research projects and their necessary resources and support, or a combination. Applicants may apply as individuals or in teams of up to three people, and must be based in the United States and Canada. The Grant for Researchers encompasses the previous Louisville Institute Project and Sabbatical Grants for Researchers, combining and reimagining them within a single, flexible grant program that responds to changing academic dynamics and practices. Grants awarded in February 2026 will fund projects taking place between April 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027. Funds are typically used for scholarly resources and activities, including scholarly or academic research project costs, semester or term academic research leave (sabbaticals), or a combination of the above elements. GFR grantees are invited to attend Winter Seminar, a three-day gathering in Louisville, KY, in January 2027 where award recipients from different Louisville Institute programs gather to share their projects and engage in collaboration. In 2026, the Louisville Institute will award 25 grants of up to $55,000 (USD) each. Eligible candidates are scholars based in the United States and Canada who have completed a terminal research degree, usually a Ph.D., S.T.D., D.Min or Th.D. Scholars typically teach in a university, seminary, or theological school, but may also work within institutes, organizations, other academic or ecclesial settings, or be independent researchers.