Back

Fellows FAQs

For specific questions regarding the Pilot Lay Leader Development Track, please contact Jamie Martin-Currie, Interim Director of the Fellowship Partners Program, directly at [email protected] or telephone ECF at 800-697-2858.

General:

1. How much money is awarded?

  • Academic and Ministry Fellowships provide financial support up to $15,000 per person for their first year. Renewal grants decrease in amount in the second and third years and are usually capped at $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
  • Those applying to the Pilot Lay Leader Development Track will receive financial support up to $5,000, depending on need.

2. Are the awards renewable?

  • Academic and Ministry Fellowship awards are renewable for up to three years, but renewal will be based on continued need, project impact, and availability of funds.

3. Who is eligible to apply?

  • Applicants to any of the three fellowship tracks available in 2027 must be members of The Episcopal Church or any member church of the Anglican Communion.
  • Applicants to the Ministry and Academic Tracks may be lay or ordained; they do not have to be considering ordained ministry to be an ECF Fellow.
  • Those applying to the Pilot Lay Leader Development Track should be faithful lay members of their local congregation.
  • 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.

4. I am an Anglican from a country other than the United States. Can I still apply?

  • Yes, applicants from a member church of the Anglican Communion may apply for 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.

5. What is the 2027 application deadline?

  • The deadline for the 2027 ECF Fellowship application will be announced when applications open in November 2026.

6. When will 2026 applicants be notified of a decision?

  • Applicants will be notified by late May 2026.

7. 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 in one package at the same time.

8. Can I email application materials, including letters of recommendation / reference and transcripts?

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

  • Written application materials can be submitted as Word (.doc and .docx) and PDF (.pdf) documents with the following two exceptions: the ministry application project budget 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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 that you can submit all of your application materials online at one time.

13. 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 it.
    • Send your video file directly to ECF via email ([email protected]) by using a web service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox.
    • Save the video in a zip file and send it directly to ECF (to [email protected])

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

Academic Track:

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

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

16. 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 academic track. Most D.Min. projects do not fit the type of doctoral research that we seek in academic fellows.

17. 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 decided 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.

18. Who should write my letters of reference?

  • Academic track applicants should have one reference 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 where the applicant is currently canonically resident.
  • Finally, a letter of reference is required from the rector (or senior warden if the applicant is the rector) of their current congregation.

19. May I submit fewer than the required number of letters of reference?

  • No. You are required to submit three letters of reference. The specifics are discussed in question 19.

20. 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 19 and 20). You are, however, invited to submit up to two additional letters of recommendation (for a total of 5 letters).

21. 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

22. 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.

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

  • No. There is no defined field of study to which applicants are limited. We recognize the vital role of cross-disciplinary studies in enabling 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:

24. 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.
  • Finally, ministry applicants are required to provide a personal reference. This personal reference should speak to the applicant's character and their dedication to their chosen project. Please contact us if you have specific questions about your reference letters.

25. May I submit fewer than the required number of letters of reference?

  • No. You are required to submit three letters of reference. The specifics are discussed in question 25.

26. 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 25 and 26). You are, however, invited to submit up to two additional letters of recommendation (for a total of 5 letters).

27. 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

28. 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 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.