Higher Theological Education Support Grant
Designed to support experienced Particular Baptist pastors who are undertaking postgraduate theological study
The Higher Theological Education Support Grant is designed to support experienced Particular Baptist pastors who are undertaking postgraduate theological study with the intention of teaching future ministers from a Particular Baptist perspective.
The grant provides financial assistance towards higher degree study at an institution within the British Isles. Funding of up to £6,000 per year is available for the duration of the course (up to three years full-time or six years part-time, with part-time grants awarded on a pro rata basis).
This grant is intended for those who:
- Are Particular Baptists by conviction.
- Have normally served as a pastor in a Particular Baptist church in the British Isles for at least six years.
- Are studying under academic supervision.
- Intend to teach at a theological college in the British Isles after completing their studies.
Applicants are required to provide two references, and successful applicants will be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
Conditions
1. The Fund will exceptionally give grants to full or part-time students undertaking a higher degree to qualify them to apply subsequently for a post at a theological college, where they intend to teach students from a Particular Baptist perspective.
2. Applicants must be Particular Baptists by conviction and in order to ensure they have sufficient practical, as well as academic, experience, they must have served as a pastor in a Particular Baptist church, normally in the British Isles, for at least six years before becoming eligible for the grant.
3. Under the terms on which it was established, the Fund can only make grants within Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. In line with its geographical remit, the Fund will therefore only pay grants to those planning to teach at a theological college in the British Isles on completion of their study and the higher degree must be undertaken at an institution in the British Isles. Anyone finding this a potential problem for their research should contact the Secretary.
4. No grant will be given unless the study undertaken is academically supervised.
5. The annual grant is £6,000 and will be awarded over the life of the study, up to a maximum of 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. Grants for part-time study will be calculated pro rata.
6. Your application must be supported by two recommendations. These could be from your Area Minister, Association Secretary or another minister, provided they know you personally. If you are not currently a pastor, one recommendation should be from the pastor and/or elders of the church where you are a member and one from the minister of another church. You should only approach colleges for a reference, if you have studied there for at least a year. Recommendations should be sent direct to the PBF Secretary.
7. The grant is completely at the Fund’s discretion. In view of the calls on the Fund’s resources, only one grant of this kind is likely to be in payment at any one time. No explanation will be provided as to why an application has been turned down.
8. Recipients of grants are asked to provide the Fund with a report at the end of their studies. The Secretary may ask if he can place it on the Fund’s website to encourage others to apply but will never do so without first seeking the student’s consent.