First Book Grant for Scholars of Color 2025 (up to $55,000) Deadline: 15 January, 2025

Applications are open for the First Book Grant for Scholars of Color 2025. The First Book Grant for Scholars of Color (FBG) supports academic sabbatical leave for research projects about Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues.

The intention of the First Book Grant is to help early-career scholars of color complete research and writing for publication of their first book (or a second book, if necessary for tenure). They are especially interested in projects that demonstrate a desire to bridge the North American church and academy, and preference is given to studies already underway (e.g., projects under contract or consideration with a publisher).

Grant

• They provide grant up to US$55,000.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates:

• are self-identified persons of color.
• have earned a terminal research degree, typically a Ph.D. or Th.D.
• are pre-tenured faculty members working in full-time, tenure-track or renewable contract/continual academic positions at accredited institutions of higher education (seminary, theological school, or college/university) in the United States or Canada.
• can negotiate release time of up to a full academic year free from teaching and administrative responsibilities.
• are engaged in a scholarly research project leading to publication of their first book, or a second book if necessary for tenure at their institution.
• may work in various fields such as history, systematic and practical theology, social science, ethics, biblical studies, etc., or be interdisciplinary.

Application

• Download the 2025 FBG Application Guide. The application guide contains the details you need. Read the guide carefully and refer to it as you prepare your application materials.
• Review the eligibility requirements in the guide.
• Create an account.
• Prepare your materials. Complete applications require the following (see the Application Guide for full details):
  • General Application Information
  • Project Summary
  • Project Narrative
  • Bibliography
  • Line Item Budget & Budget Narrative
  • Curriculum Vitae or resume
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Letter of Release
• All application elements are submitted online through the application portal.
• Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST January 15, 2025, and letters of recommendation are due from the recommenders January 22, 2025.

For more information, visit First Book Grant for Scholars of Color.