The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) has officially launched its search for scholars to investigate the evolving landscape of faith through the Innovation in Religion and Spirituality Seed Grants.
Supported by the Luce Foundation and Templeton foundations, the program seeks to explore how religious and spiritual life is being substantively reshaped in the modern world.
Rather than viewing “innovation” as a simple invention of new elements, researchers are encouraged to examine it as a complex recombination of existing traditions within shifting social and political contexts.
This call for proposals aims to foster a deeper understanding of the wider implications of these new spiritual forms, including transnational shifts and the impact of economic insecurity.
Funding and benefits
The program provides crucial research support, offering grants of up to $10,000 per award for projects lasting up to six months.
These funds are designed to be used efficiently to cover direct research costs, including travel, equipment, and support for research assistants.
Selected researchers will conduct their work during a fixed project period running from September 2026 through February 2027.
This financial support allows scholars to tackle pressing questions, such as how gendered knowledge or contemporary competitive pressures for time and money influence religious identity.
Application requirements and eligibility
This opportunity is open to a broad range of academics, including professional researchers, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars.
Additionally, doctoral students who have already advanced to candidacy are eligible to apply for these seed grants to further their original research.
Applicants must submit a succinct research proposal, a detailed budget, and a brief curriculum vitae through the SSRC’s online portal.
All materials must be submitted in English, and proposals will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee based on their potential to deepen knowledge in the field.
The SSRC welcomes projects from diverse fields such as anthropology, history, and theology, utilizing qualitative or quantitative methodologies.
Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear plan for publishing their findings and sharing them with practitioners and the public.
Deadline
The window for applications closes strictly at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Interested researchers should visit the SSRC’s online application system to complete their submissions before the cutoff to be considered for this 2026-2027 cycle.
To apply, visit SSRC call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
