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Search Is On for Gifted Doctoral Candidates

FTE Announces 2009-2010 Fellowship Awards

For Doctoral Students in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies

ATLANTA, December 1, 2008 – To advance excellence and diversity in the teaching of religion,
theology and biblical studies, The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) invites doctoral students
from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups to apply for 2009-2010 FTE Doctoral, Dissertation
and North American Doctoral Fellowships.
Applications for FTE Dissertation Fellowships are due February 1, 2009; FTE Doctoral and
North American Doctoral Fellowship applications are due March 1, 2009.
The awards provide financial stipends and networking support to African-American, Asian-
American, Hispanic and Native American students who demonstrate high academic performance,
gifts for leadership and a commitment to teach and do research in North American theological
schools and universities.
“Today’s economic climate heightens the pressure on doctoral students as they strive to
balance the demands of rigorous programs with the challenge of paying bills,” said Dr. Sharon
Watson Fluker, FTE Vice President for Doctoral Programs and Administration. “These fellowships
offer rising scholars support to complete their degrees and obtain faculty posts on campuses that
need their voices and their gifts sooner rather than later.”
FTE Doctoral Fellowships for African-American graduate students in Ph.D. or Th. D. religion
and theology programs provide an $18,000 stipend, renewable for an additional year. The Fund’s
Dissertation Fellowships, which are for African-American students at the final writing stage of their
dissertations, provide a one-year $18,000 stipend. Doctoral and Dissertation Fellowship recipients
are invited to attend a national conference with peers and distinguished faculty. FTE North
American Doctoral Fellowships award $5,000 to $10,000 to African-American, Asian-American,
Native American and Hispanic doctoral students.
The Fund for Theological Education supports the next generation of leaders among pastors
and scholars, annually providing $1.5 million in fellowships and a network of support for gifted
young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
For applications and more information visit www.thefund.org/programs.