In this competitive initiative, the Endowment intends to award grants of up to $2.5 million each to approximately 60 accredited, four-year colleges and universities in the United States with chaplaincies or offices of religious life to support programs that will advance the aim stated above and the five objectives outlined in the Request for Concept Papers.
Funding Opportunities
Lilly Endowment will conduct the Chaplaincy Initiative through a two-stage process.
- Stage 1 Concept Papers: Colleges and universities may submit concept papers that explain their interest in the initiative and provide initial descriptions of their potential programs. The Endowment intends to invite up to 120 schools to the second stage in March 2027. Concept Papers are due by January 11, 2027.
- Stage 2 Implementation Grant Proposals: Invited colleges and universities may submit proposals for implementation grants that may be used for up to a five-year period to implement their programs.
Information Sessions
The Endowment will host virtual information sessions to discuss the aim and objectives of the initiative and to review the submission guidelines. Organizations wishing to participate in one of these sessions should register via one of the links below.
Submission Guidance
Interested colleges and universities must submit concept papers along with the materials outlined in the Request for Concept Papers as a single PDF through the Chaplaincy Initiative Concept Paper Submission Form below by January 11, 2027.