The Louisville Institute's mission revolves around supporting the study and enrichment of Christian life, religious practices, institutions, and exploring new ideas and possibilities for churches, communities, and the wider world. Through grants, it aims to foster innovative and skilled leadership within diverse Christian contexts across North America.
The First Book Grant for Scholars of Color (FBG) aims to support early career, pre-tenured religion scholars of color by providing grants up to $40,000. This funding assists in completing significant research projects related to Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, or social issues, among other topics. Projects that connect academic scholarship with the life of the church in North America are particularly encouraged. The grant focuses on helping scholars secure academic sabbatical for research, aiming for the publication of their first book. A key component of the grant is the Winter Seminar, where grantees can collaborate and share their projects. Applicants must be in tenure-track or renewable contract positions at accredited educational institutions in the U.S. or Canada.