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Fellows FAQs

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General:

1. How much money is awarded?

  • Fellowship awards will range up to $15,000 per person per year. Renewal grants usually decrease in amount in the second and third years and are usually capped at $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

2. Are the awards renewable?

  • Awards are renewable up to a total of three years, but renewal will be based on continued need and impact, as well as availability of funds.

3. How many fellowships are awarded each year?

  • Typically, three to four new Fellowships are awarded annually.

4. Who is eligible to apply?

  • Applicants may be lay or ordained, they do not have to be considering ordained ministry to be an ECF Fellow. Applicants must be a member of the Episcopal Church or any member church of the Anglican Communion. Those applying to the academic track should be enrolling or currently enrolled in a doctoral research program. Please see more FAQs about the academic track further below.

5. I am an Anglican from a country other than the United States, can I still apply?

  • Yes, applicants who are from a member church of the Anglican Communion my apply to the ECF Fellowship. International applicants should note that the ECF Fellowship seeks to support the next generation of leadership in the Episcopal Church and all applicants, including those outside the United States, should demonstrate this. Those applying to the academic track should be enrolling or currently enrolled in a doctoral research program. Please see more FAQs about the academic track further below.

6. What is the 2024 application deadline?

  • March 5, 2024 (by midnight local time online, received or postmarked for mailed materials)

7. When will 2024 applicants be notified of a decision?

  • Applicants will be notified by late May 2024.

8. Can I submit a hard copy of the application?

  • While we prefer a digital application, you may submit a paper application. PDF copies of the applications are available to download and print. We strongly prefer all mailed materials to arrive at the same time in one package.

9. Can I e-mail application materials, including letters of recommendation / reference and transcripts?

10. What are the acceptable types of materials and file formats for submitting writing samples and other application materials?

  • Online application materials can be submitted as Word (.doc and .docx) and PDF (.pdf) documents with the following two exceptions: the ministry application project buget can be an Excel (.xls and .xlsx) file and the academic application transcripts can only be PDF (.pdf) files. Mailed applications should only include paper materials that can be copied and reproduced. Please do not include video, audio, books or bound publications, or other materials which cannot be sent via postal mail as these materials will not be sent to members of the selection committee.

11. Can I submit an online application, but mail my letters of reference and recommendation and/or transcripts?

  • Yes, you can submit part of your application online. You have the option to attach your letters and transcripts online, mail them together yourself, or have your letters/transcripts mailed to ECF by those who are preparing them. All mailed documents must be postmarked by March 5, 2024.

12. Can reference letters, recommendation letters, or transcripts be mailed directly to ECF?

  • While we strongly prefer all materials to arrive at the same time in the online application or mailed together in one package, we will accept documents sent to us separately when necessary. All documents must be postmarked by March 5, 2024.

13. Can I save my online application and complete it later?

  • No. Once you navigate away from the application web page, your information will be lost. Please prepare all your materials in advance, so you can submit all of your application materials online at one time.

14. How can I submit my video?

  • There are a few options for you to submit your video statements to ECF. You can use any of the following. Please feel free to email [email protected] with any questions.
    • Upload your video statement to YouTube or Vimeo (or similar) and include the link in your application. Feel free to set your video to “Unlisted” (or similar) so that only those with the link can view.
    • Send your video file directly to ECF via email (to [email protected]) by using a web service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox.
    • Save the video in a zip file and send directly to ECF (to [email protected])

15. If I have questions about whether my proposal is a good fit, can I call to discuss it?

  • Yes, but please contact ECF well before the March 5, 2024 deadline. You can email Kjerstin Besser, Associate Director of Adaptive Ministries, at [email protected] or telephone ECF at 800-697-2858.

Academic Track:

16. Can I apply for a fellowship for my M.Div. degree?

  • No. The intention of the ECF Fellowship is to foster research and ministry that will strengthen leadership in the Church. This may be in conjunction with studies in doctoral level programs but are not intended to supplement first professional degrees such as a M.Div., J.D., or M.D.

17. Can I apply for a fellowship for my D.Min. degree?

  • Yes, but we strongly urge applicants in a D.Min. program to speak with us as to whether the program is a good fit for the acaedmic track. Most D.Min. projects do not fit the type of doctoral research that we seek in academic Fellows.

18. What if I have applied to academic programs, but do not know the institution I will be attending at the time fellowship applications are due?

  • Applicants who have not yet received decisions on their applications to academic programs or have not yet made a decision on where they will be enrolled during the upcoming academic year are not precluded from applying. On the ECF fellowship application form, list academic institutions/programs under consideration.

19. Who should write my letters of reference?

  • Academic track applicants should have one reference come from their academic advisor, or equivalent, in the applicant's current academic program. Alternatively, the reference letter may be made by the advisor or equivalent of an applicant's prior degree program if the applicant will be enrolling in a new academic program during the upcoming fall term. A letter of reference from the diocesan bishop of the diocese in which the applicant is currently canonically resident. Finally, a letter of reference is required from the rector (or senior warden if you are the rector) of your current congregation.

20. May I submit more than the required number of letters of reference?

  • No. You are required to submit three letters of reference (from your Bishop, Academic Advisor and Rector/Senior Warden). Do not submit any more than the required number of letters of reference.

21. May I submit fewer than three or more than three letters of recommendation?

  • In addition to the required letters of reference (listed above), you are able to submit up to two additional letters of recommendation. You may submit fewer than two letters of recommendation, but you may not submit more than two.

22. How can writers of letters of reference or recommendation submit their letters?

  • Letters can be mailed directly to ECF, sent to the applicant to be submitted in the online application, or mailed to the applicant who will then in turn mail in their application materials to ECF. Letters may also be emailed to [email protected].
  • Mail any application materials to:
    Episcopal Church Foundation
    c/o Fellowship Partners Program
    475 Riverside Drive, Suite 750
    New York, NY 10115

23. What information should the letters of reference/recommendation contain?

  • There is no specific length or criteria required for any of the letters. The letters of reference are meant to ensure the academic advisor, or equivalent, and diocesan bishop are aware and supportive of the person's fellowship application. For all of the letters it would be helpful for recommenders to speak to the applicant's preparation, qualifications, and commitment to the work for which they seek funding.

24.Do you only accept applicants pursuing a doctoral degree in Theology or other related fields?

  • No. There is no defined field of study that applicants are limited to. We recognize the vital role of cross-disciplinary studies to enable our Church leaders to meet the needs of our changing world. We will accept any research-focused, doctoral student whose work can impact the future church. Want to discuss whether your area of study is a good fit? Contact us at [email protected].

Ministry Track:

25. Who should write my letters of reference?

  • A letter of reference by the rector or vicar of an Episcopal or Anglican congregation, or the director of an organization or ministry is required. Often this is from the leader of the congregation/organization where the applicant is a member, or where the applicant's ministry will take place. If the applicant is the rector/vicar of a congregation, a warden may write the letter.
  • Additionally, a letter of reference from the diocesan bishop of the diocese in which the applicant is currently canonically resident is required in addition to the rector/director reference letter. Please contact us if you have specific questions about your reference letters.
  • Finally, a personal reference is also required of ministry applicants. This personal reference should be able to speak to the applicant's character as well as their dedication to their chosen project.

26. May I submit more than the required number of letters of reference?

  • No. You are required to submit three letters of reference. The specifics are discussed in question 24.

27. May I submit fewer than two or more than two letters of recommendation?

  • You do not have to submit more than the required three letters of reference (as discussed in questions 24 and 25). You are, however, invited to submit up to two additional letters of recommendation (for a total of 5 letters).

28. How can writers of letters of reference or recommendation submit their letters?

  • Letters can be mailed directly to ECF, sent to the applicant to be submitted in the online application, or mailed to the applicant who will then in turn mail in their application materials to ECF. Letters may also be emailed to [email protected].
  • If you are mailing a letter, please send it to:
    Episcopal Church Foundation
    c/o Fellowship Partners Program
    475 Riverside Drive, Suite 750
    New York, NY 10115

29. What information should the letters of reference/recommendation contain?

  • There is no specific length or criteria required for any of the letters. The letters of reference are meant to ensure the rector/director/warden and diocesan bishop are aware and supportive of the person's fellowship application. For all of the letters it would be helpful for recommenders to speak to the applicant's preparation, qualifications, and commitment to the work for which they seek funding.