1st Financial Bank USA wants to celebrate those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals with the 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship.
The Louisville Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship provides early career theological educators with vocational and professional formation through a two-year placement as a visiting scholar at a graduate theological school, college, university, or education and research organization in the United States and Canada. As part of the Louisville Institute's Vocation of the Theological Educator (VTE) Initiative, these fellows engage in intentional, focused, professional formation and teaching as they explore a calling to be a theological educator for future pastoral leaders. Applicants are typically scholars studying Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues. Preference is given to doctoral students or recent graduates who demonstrate an interest in theological education as a vocation, who express an understanding of the current challenges and opportunities of theological education, and who articulate connections between their doctoral work and these trends and dynamics. Eligible applicants are scholars based in the United States and Canada who will complete all Ph.D./Th.D. work, defend their dissertations, and receive their degrees no later than June 30, 2026. They must come from diverse fields such as history, systematic and practical theology, pastoral studies, social sciences, ethics, or biblical studies, or bring interdisciplinary approaches to their scholarship. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, due on October 22, 2025. The first letter of recommendation should come from a faculty mentor or advisor who can attest to the applicant's promise as a teacher and scholar in theological education, the significance of the applicant's work thus far, and the applicant's interest in and understanding of the role and purpose of theological education. The recommender will also confirm the applicant's expected graduation date. The second letter of recommendation should come from an academic mentor or colleague (preferably an experienced or senior scholar) who can speak to the applicant's academic promise and their interest in theological education. In addition, the second recommender will be asked to comment on the applicant's personal qualities and commitments, including engagement with faith communities, if applicable. Please visit the fellowship's website for more information.
1st Financial Bank USA wants to celebrate those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals with the 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship.