The research team should normally have between three to six members. The scholar submitting the application must be a full-time faculty member at a CCCU member institution and will serve as Project Director. One or two other members of the team must be faculty at either a CCCU member institution or a CCCU affiliate institution. Other Christian scholars comprising the team may have any academic affiliation or may be independent scholars. The team is encouraged to seek ways in which outstanding students may be included in the research activities.
Selection Criteria:
Two awards of $18,000 each will be made annually by the Program Steering Committee on the basis of the following criteria:
- Extent to which the Proposed Scholarship is Informed by a Christian Perspective
The applicants have presented a convincing argument for the ways in which their proposed research will be significantly informed by a Christian perspective.
- Importance of the Theme to the Larger Academy
The proposed theme will be of significant interest to the larger academy. The proposed research has the potential to advance the quality and visibility of Christian scholarship in an important field of inquiry. The research is likely to promote fresh thinking or dialogue between disparate perspectives in the area of study.
- Quality of the Conceptualization of the Project
There is clarity and depth in the conceptualization of the project. The proposed research methodology is sound and clear given the theme and the academic discipline(s) involved.
- Quality of the Plan for the Research Project
The plan for project activities is strong. The plan for expenditure of funds is sound.
- Talent and Preparedness of the Team
The scholars have the requisite expertise and background to address the topic with distinction.
The networking will enable each team member to benefit significantly from interaction with other team members. Networking will lead to results not likely to emerge if team members worked in isolation. There is a good mix of senior and junior scholars that will enable good mentoring. The project will prepare the team for an even more significant future phase of their work.
- Likelihood of Significant Dissemination beyond Christian Circles
The team members are well published in the literature of the larger academy. It is likely that the results of the proposed research will be disseminated in high-quality venues in the larger academy.
In cases where applications are judged as having equal merit relative to the above criteria, preference will be given to projects that contribute to diversity and balance in the awards granted by the program since its inception with respect to the academic disciplines for the topics of research, and the gender, ethnicity, theological traditions and institutional affiliations of the members of the research team.