The Lamin Sanneh Research Grants are named in honor of the late Yale Professor Lamin Sanneh, pioneer in the study of World Christianity, OMSC trustee, and contributing editor to the IBMR. Each year OMSC@PTS awards two grants of $10,000 each, distributed across the two-year duration of the grant, in support of research proposals by Christian scholars from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania. The research project should advance the field of World Christianity, Mission Studies, Intercultural Theology, and cognate disciplines.
Professor Sanneh had a passion for what he called “lived religion,” studies that provide insight into how Christian communities and persons understand and live out their faith in specific historical, cultural, social, and political contexts. Winning proposals will help to expand and nuance the global church’s knowledge of the world Christian movement.
Learn more about our CURRENT awardees
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2027 LAMIN SANNEH RESEARCH GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025
Time frame of Award: September 2025 – August, 2027
Amount: Two grants of $10,000 each
If you are serving as a reference for an applicant, you may submit your letter of recommendation via this link:
Every year, the Overseas Ministries Study Center at Princeton Theological Seminary (OMSC@PTS) invites proposals for two two-year “Lamin Sanneh Research Grants.” Proposals are welcome from those working in Mission Studies, broadly conceived, World Christianity, Intercultural Theology or a cognate field. We welcome interdisciplinary proposals that feature empirical research as well as theological reflection. Proposals may draw on literature in theology (Biblical Studies, Christian History, Systematic or Dogmatic Theology, or Practical Theology), social sciences (Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, Politics, Psychology, or Sociology), or the humanities (Art, Ancient and Modern Languages, History, Law, Literature, Philosophy, or Religious Studies).
Grant funds must be used for research initiatives, including the costs for field work, library research, writing and submitting work for presentation and publication, and associated travel. Funds should not be used for tuition or everyday living expenses.
During the two-year grant term (September 1, 2025–August 31, 2027), part of the grant should be reserved for travel to one international academic conference where you will present the results of your Sanneh Research Grant. Those awarded a grant will need to complete a short mid-grant report after the first year and a final report after the second year. In addition, grant winners are expected to write a short public-facing essay about their research for The Occasional, OMSC’s blog.
The selection committee for the 2025-27 awards will be announced shortly
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Please click on the DONATE button at the top of the page to designate a gift in support of the Lamin Sanneh Research Grants.
