The Templeton Pluralism Fellowship is seeking twelve emerging leaders and scholars working at the intersection of religion, politics, and public life to serve as fellows beginning in the Fall of 2025. These twelve fellows (six Muslims and six Christians) will gather together to research, explore, and discuss their deep religious and political differences as they develop their own Muslim and Christian resources for pluralism and democratic life.
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Over two years, the fellows will convene four times in different American and international cities where the questions of deep difference and religious pluralism are especially salient. Side by side, Muslim and Christian fellows will research and discuss how their respective faiths inform their responses to core public issues of polarization, democracy, and the ongoing challenge of how to live and think productively amidst foundational divides. They will explore their religious perspectives on power, justice, rights, freedom, law, and responsibility. As these fellows engage one another’s sacred texts and traditions, they will increase their multifaith literacy and understanding of the sociopolitical importance of religious freedom and democratic virtues.
Through reading and writing, mentoring and discussion, these fellows will be equipped for a unique form of public thought leadership, one that is informed by their respective faiths, cutting edge scholarship, and their deep engagement with one another. Each fellow will receive a $15,000 stipend in return for their active participation in the program. They will also have an opportunity to apply for a small grant to co-lead their own creative project with a member of the other faith.
THE PROJECT LEADERS
More about the Templeton Pluralism Fellowship
This fellowship is made possible through a 1.2 million dollar grant from the Templeton Religion Trust. The grant was awarded to the Richard John Mouw Institute of Faith and Public Life at Fuller Seminary.
The project leaders, Dr. Shadi Hamid and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk intend to create a multi-faith learning environment in which pluralism will be studied and practiced by the fellows themselves as they engage with one another. This new project will build on and extend the research, writing, and dialogues that Dr. Hamid and Kaemingk have pioneered in their own friendship and collaborations over three seasons of their podcast Zealots at the Gate and a new book they are co-authoring on how religion can be a force for good in strengthening democracy and pluralism in American public life.
Over the two years, this inaugural cohort of Templeton Pluralism Fellows will work side by side to exercise and ultimately embody the character virtues necessary to advance pluralism in their academic and professional lives. Fellows will not be able to retreat to the safety of their respective silos be they religious, political, or academic. They will learn and grow through deep engagement across their faiths, cultures, and academic disciplines. The uncomfortable and stretching process of reading, writing, and discussing difficult issues with one another will be the medium through which fellows work out the key values of intellectual humility, empathy, patience, and courage.
FAQ
Who should apply?
We encourage applications from emerging scholars, activists, and leaders working at the intersection of religion, politics, and pluralism. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate:
- A deep commitment to academic excellence. Their demonstrated capacity for research and writing competency should be at a high level. At minimum, prospective fellows should have completed a master’s degree in a discipline related to religion, politics,, ethics, or the social sciences.
- A deep commitment to the beliefs and practices of either the Islamic or the Christian faith. We seek applicants for whom faith is a central, not ancillary, part of their personal, professional, and academic identity.
- A deep commitment to working across serious religious, cultural, and political differences. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their past experience and future willingness to work alongside those who do not share their core commitments.
- A deep commitment to public thought leadership. While serious academic work is encouraged, successful applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to writing and speaking for a general audience.
A few other notes:
- While our primary interest is in serving American citizens, we are open to considering international applicants.
- There is no specific age restriction for applicants. That said, our preference is to serve leaders nearer the beginning of their respective careers in the academy and public life.
What do fellows receive?
- Fellows receive a groundbreaking multi-faith and international learning experience. Over the course of two years, they will have the opportunity to meet and learn from a variety of world-class thought leaders working at the intersection of religion, politics, and pluralism.
- Fellows will also have the opportunity to build meaningful professional and personal relationships with a network of emerging Muslim and Christian leaders doing cutting-edge research and writing on issues related to faith, politics, and democracy.
- Fellows will receive mentoring and support in their own professional growth as a public thought leader in the fields of religion, politics, and pluralism. Each fellow will also receive critical and constructive feedback on their ideas and writing from their peers and mentors.
- Each fellow will receive a $15,000 stipend for their active participation in the program.
- Each fellow will have their travel, food, and lodging expenses covered for all four gatherings.
- Each fellow will have the opportunity to apply for a small grant whereby they can organize their own public event around their respective ideas and work.
What are the expectations?
The fellowship requires active participation and contribution to the program for a total of two years (Fall 2025- Spring 2027) :
- Fellows are expected to physically attend four physical gatherings over the course of two years. Our two domestic gatherings will be in Washington DC and Los Angeles. Our two international gatherings will be in foreign locations that will be determined at a later date. These will be international cities where the questions of pluralism and the relationship between Christianity and Islam are of particular importance. Our domestic gatherings will last four days and our international gatherings will last six. Fellows are expected to attend and participate in the entirety of these gatherings. The first gathering is scheduled for Dec 2-5, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
- Fellows will complete 2,000 pages of reading on the intersection of religion, politics, and pluralism over the two year program. Fellows will be expected to deeply engage Islamic, Christian, and secular texts in their reading and discussion.
- Each fellow will write two original essays for publication on issues related to faith, politics, and pluralism. Each fellow will also be expected to collaborate with a fellow from a different faith tradition on a co-authored essay.
Who are the instructors?
Who are the instructors?
- This program is directed by Dr. Shadi Hamid and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk. Together they serve as the primary instructors and mentors for the fellows. You can learn more about their research, writing, and mutual podcast by clicking here.
- During each gathering fellows will also learn from a variety of world-class leaders and scholars working at the intersection of religion, public policy, and pluralism.
Application
Application deadline: January 15, 2025
Application
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The Templeton Pluralism Fellow
A catalyst for Christian+Muslim discourse.
