Foundation Nathan Soderblom Memorial Fund - Nathan Soderblom Memorial Fund

Nathan Söderblom Memorial Fund grant

You will receive a grant towards your studies, a research project or participation in international events relating to church unity. The money covers travel and incidental expenses. Each year, the fund pays out a total of approximately 500,000 SEK (approx. 44,000 EUR), which is divided amongst all successful applicants. There is therefore no fixed amount, and both the number of grants and their value vary from year to year. Living costs are covered only in exceptional cases and only in conjunction with travel expenses. Loss of income from your regular employment is not usually compensated. The fund is administered by the Sveriges kristna råd (the Christian Council of Sweden). It supports the ecumenical movement, that is, efforts to bring different Christian churches closer together. One of its stated aims is to fund studies at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey (Switzerland), which is run by the World Council of Churches.

Who can apply

• Church membership: You are a member of a Swedish church or a Christian congregation. Applicants of any nationality may apply; the only requirement is church membership.
• Your work or project: They are committed to the unity of the churches (ecumenism), to peace or to interfaith dialogue, from a Christian perspective.
• What the grant is for: Studies or research in the field of ecumenism and peace, or participation in international ecumenical courses, conferences and seminars, including those at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey.
• Field of study: Theology and ecumenical work. Priority is given to projects relating to the World Council of Churches and to peace issues.
• You apply on your own: The grants are personal and cannot be transferred. Groups cannot submit a joint application; each person taking part in the same trip or conference must submit their own application.
• Proof for academic study: At Master’s level or above, please list your academic achievements and name your supervisor as a reference. Researchers with a PhD should include the year and place of graduation, as well as a list of publications.
• Age: In exceptional cases, minors may apply with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

How to apply

You must apply online using the form on the Fund’s website between 21 January and 28 February each year. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted. There is no set application form, so please draft the application yourself (maximum one A4 page). Please enclose a one-page financial plan setting out your estimated costs and how you intend to finance them. Decisions on the allocation of grants will be made at the Fund’s annual meeting in April.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is narrowly defined: you must belong to a Swedish church or Christian community and be actively involved in ecumenism, peace work or interfaith dialogue. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants is small. The total amount available is modest and is allocated each year, meaning that individual grant amounts remain limited; preference is given to projects that are clearly linked to the World Council of Churches or peace work. If you fit this specific profile and submit a clear, well-costed plan, your chances are good.