Funding for Dialogue Groups on Science and Religion

Posted by on March 17, 2006

[posted from RFP Bulletin]

Metanexus Institute Invites Applications for Local Societies Initiative
Deadline: April 1 and July 1, 2006

An initiative of the Metanexus Institute ( <a href="http://www.metanexus.net/">http://www.metanexus.net/</a> ), the Local Societies Initiative provides three-year grants to fund start-up costs for dialogue groups exploring the dynamic interface between religion and science. While focused on colleges, universities, and seminaries, the program also welcomes applications from a wide spectrum of interested parties in other venues worldwide.

This unique program differs from other scholarly grant programs in that it emphasizes building organizations and dynamic associations of people who explore the implications of the science and religion interchange. Members of local religion and science dialogue societies engage in a variety of activities, such as reading and study groups, public lectures, Web publishing, journal publication, newsletters, and more. LSI is a multi-disciplinary, multi-faith, and multi-cultural educational project intended to promote a balanced and exploratory dialogue between the discoveries of the natural and social sciences and the wisdom of the world’s faith traditions. There are over two hundred LSI groups active in more than thirty-five countries in this ongoing
program.

Each grant is for $15,000 paid over three years. The applicant must be able to match the grant with $15,000 in additional funding over the three years. There will be a number of supplemental grants of $10,000 each awarded annually to those projects that are particularly innovative, creative, and effective. Funds may be used for society events, speakers, the purchase of books for group study, communications, publicity, outreach, public forums and travel directly related to the project.

The applicant society that receives a Metanexus LSI grant must operate as, or be under the auspices of, a nonprofit organization.

For more information, including application guidelines, best practices, and links to existing LSI groups, visit the Metanexus Institute Web site.

RFP Link:
<a href="http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10001198/metanexus">http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10001198/metanexus</a>

For additional RFPs in Religion, visit:
<a href="http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_religion.jhtml">http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_religion.jhtml</a>