Apply for a Climate Science in Theological Education Grant 

 The submission period for Applications for the 2023 Cohort are closed. Cohort 2 applications will open at the beginning of 2024.

For full application guidelines, CLICK HERE. 

Submission Process

This is the first cohort of the Climate Science in Theological Education Initiative.  For this cohort, up to 14 schools will be awarded 18-month grants in the amount of $15,000. Proposed project activities should be implemented between January 2024 and June 2025. Grant consideration consists of a single application accompanied by required supporting documents. The application will be evaluated by an external review committee with final decisions made by AAAS. To start your application, CLICK HERE.  

Dates to Remember

Grant Requirements 

Participants in the Climate Science in Theological Education project will: 

• Meaningfully engage climate-related science within theological education. This can include capacity building, curriculum engagements, ministry-focused activities, or other programs tailored to your community. 
• Host at least one enrichment activity or campus event on the grant topic that engages your students, faculty, alumni network, and/or the broader public. 
• Participate in a two-day virtual kickoff meeting and a funded in-person retreat. 

Selection Criteria

Applications will be selected based on the following criteria:  

• Submission by an accredited theological education institution that offers an MDiv program or equivalent for the training of faith leaders  
• Demonstration of the positive, substantial impact this project would make on your seminary or school through new engagement on topics in climate science  
• Proposal to equip and empower future and/or current faith leaders to meaningfully engage climate change and science in their ministerial contexts  
• The project is uniquely suited to the context of your seminary and community 
• The experiences and ability of the institutional personnel (project leader, faculty, etc.) and proposed partners 
• The commitment of your institution to all project goals  
• The potential impact of this project beyond your school and its plausible sustainability beyond the length of the grant 

Instructions

Applications should be completed and submitted with all required documents by the application close date, September 18, 2023 11:59 PM PDT. CLICK HERE to go to the application portal.  

The application will:   

• include contact information and CVs for the proposed project leader(s);  
• highlight potential impact of the project on students, faculty, pastors, and larger community;  
• be concise and compelling;  
• include preliminary ideas on engaging with climate science in the areas of (a) capacity building, (b) course engagement, and/or (c) ministry-focused activities, and at least one enrichment activity; and  
• include a budget outline and narrative for the proposed project of $15,000.  

For an example of how to outline your proposed budget, CLICK HERE. For more details on the application and instructions, CLICK HERE. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the Climate Science in Theological Education FAQ

We hosted two FAQ sessions during the open application window on August 3 & 24, 2023 at 2pm EDT. If you would like a copy of the slides shared during the FAQ, please email LCastren@aaas.org or DoSER@aaas.org. 

Watch a recording of the first FAQ, hosted August 3:

Watch a recording of the second FAQ, hosted August 24:

What is the Climate Science in Theological Education Grant project? 

The Climate Science in Theological Education grant initiative builds upon the success of the Science for Seminaries: Integrating Science into Core Theological Education (Science for Seminaries) project, as well as a pilot project in incorporating climate science into seminary curricula. Science for Seminaries was an initiative designed to promote positive and respectful dialogue between scientists and faith/religious communities by supporting science appreciation among future religious leaders. AAAS DoSER offered grants to a select group of seminaries to support them in their efforts to integrate science into at least two core courses and produce at least one campus-wide science-themed event. This effort encouraged interest within seminaries and surrounding communities about the relevance of science to theological education and produced a growing number of pastors equipped to help their congregants find answers to science-related questions.  

Building upon this foundational work, the Climate Science in Theological Education grant project provides grants to seminaries to specifically engage the important issue of climate change in the context of theological education and ministry. These Climate Science grants can provide the opportunity for seminaries to build capacity at their institution to start having conversations at the intersection of climate science and theological education. They may also provide the space to start or expand what is already being done in terms of curricular engagement with climate science. In addition, the grants may fund ministry focused activities, aimed to engage current and future pastors in a variety of ways to prepare them for engaging climate change and science in their ministry contexts.  The project’s ultimate goals are to create an atmosphere in places of worship in which climate science is relevant, complementary, and important to faith/religious worldviews, and to promote faithful and meaningful action on climate change in the broader society. 

For project proposal ideas and information on the Climate Science in Theological Education pilot project, visit the project page HERE.