The Summer Fellowship application period is now open for the Summer 2022 cohort.
About the Fellowship
- The Fellowship is a unique professional opportunity to support the development of scholarship in Science–Engaged Theology.
- The Fellowship endeavours to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for Fellows to develop their research in this field through virtual and in-person activities.
Our vision – New Visions in Theological Anthropology (NViTA)
- The NViTA project will focus on three subdisciplinary pairings within the overarching umbrellas of behavioural science and theological anthropology:
- Moral Theology & Evolutionary Biology
- Spiritual Formation & Developmental Psychology
- Ecclesiology & Cognitive Science
- Our project does not study ‘science and religion’ as such. Instead we are interested in thoroughgoingly theological questions that are explicit about what branch of science they draw upon and what subdisciplines of theology they fall within. Any scientific and theological (biblical, ethics, philosophical, practical, systematic, etc.) subdisciplines are welcome, provided they are clearly stated.
- We do not think that all theology need be science-engaged. That is, we do not think that because empirical data is needed for some theological questions that it is thus required for all theological questions; but, when it is required, we want to encourage this to be done well.
- We prioritise expressing our research through theological puzzles.
What is included for Fellows on the 2022 cohort?
Summer 2022: NViTA Science-Engaged Theology Conference
- Fellows will attend a conference as part of the NViTA project between 5th-11th June 2022.
- Travel, accommodation and the majority of meals for the duration of the conference will be included in your Fellowship.
- You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other Fellows and experts in the fields of science and theology.
Fellowship Stipend
- As a Fellow you will receive a stipend of £3,500 per winning project, awarded to you in early 2022.
Ongoing research support
- From early 2022 you will have the opportunity to access assistance with developing your theological puzzle, with a view to eventual publication.
- You will join a Fellowship group to encourage detailed conversation with other Fellows and leaders in science-engaged theology.
Follow-on Funding
- In late February / early March 2022 you will have the opportunity to apply for additional funding (Follow-on Funding) of up to £25,000 to support research in areas of your theological puzzle and to encourage engagement with science.
- Particularly promising projects will be eligible for this competitive funding to support additional research. These projects may be for amounts of up to £20,000 for research support and up to an additional £5,000 to enable them to engage in activities that draw their work into deeper engagement with contemporary science and practicing scientists.
- Science activities could include short-term or long-term visits to a scientific laboratory or research group, attending a scientific conference or meeting a scientist whose work is pertinent to the area of theological inquiry, buying scientific books, paying a scientist honoraria to consult or review drafts of your work, or some similar activity that deepens engagement with an active scientific research field.
- You will be encouraged to propose research outputs that are not dependent on traditional travel and which include creative ideas to engage others in your research.
Key Dates
2022 cohort
- Fellowship Applications Due: 17th January 2022
- Announcements Made: Around 16th February 2022
- Follow-on Funding Application Period: Late February / Early March 2022
- 2022 NViTA Science-Engaged Theology Conference in St Andrews: 5th – 11th June 2022
The Fellowship will run from a Fellow’s date of acceptance until 31st July 2022.
How do I apply for the Summer Fellowship?
The Summer Fellowship application period is now open.