Initiatives for Scholars
The Sider Institute offers programs that support original research by established scholars and advanced graduate students.
To learn more about the grants and non-residential fellowships offered by the Institute, click on the drop-down menus below.
The Christian Lesher Fellows Program, generously endowed by Emerson and Ruth Lesher, honors Christian Lesher (1775-1856), the first bishop of the Brethren in Christ Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and the author of Christian Magazine, one of the first known theological manuscripts by a Brethren in Christ leader.
The fellowship supports research directly related to the exploration and interpretation of the Brethren in Christ Church and/or of its founding traditions (Anabaptism, Pietism, and Wesleyanism). The fellowship is open to persons from a variety of academic and professional disciplines and approaches, including but not limited to theology, biblical studies, history, psychology, sociology, pastoral ministry, ethics, music, art, and the humanities.
Fellows whose work is supported by this program are expected to share an "end product" as determined and approved by the Sider Institute, including but not limited to publication in an academic, church, or professional journal or book; presentation at an academic, church, or professional conference; and/or be posted on the internet for access by academic and church audiences.
Requests for grant funding from this program should not exceed $3,000 per applicant.
Applicants to the Lesher Fellows Program may not apply for other funding from the Sider Institute in the same funding year.
The Sider Grants Program, generously endowed by E. Morris and Leone Sider, funds research and writing by established scholars and advanced graduate students from Brethren in Christ, Mennonite, and related traditions and whose work is focused on one or more of the faith traditions stated in the title of the Institute (e.g., Anabaptism, Pietism, or Wesleyanism). Priority is given to projects focused on the Brethren in Christ Church.
The Brethren in Christ Historical Society has the first right of publication for any articles or books resulting from research funded by this program.
Requests for grant funding from this program should not exceed $1,000 per applicant.
Applicants to the Sider Grants Program may not apply for other funding from the Sider Institute in the same funding year.
To Apply
To apply for either the Lesher Fellows or Sider Grants programs, send a proposal containing the following elements to the Institute (siderinstitute@messiah.edu):
- The name of the program to which you are applying;
- The academic year for which you are applying;
- A description and explanation of the research project (e.g., research question(s), methods, sources);
- A budget of anticipated research expenses, not to exceed the total amount mentioned in the descriptions above;
- An anticipated schedule/timeline for research, writing, and completion; and
- A tentative plan for sharing the final product of your research (e.g., article, book, public presentation, etc.)
Proposals for the 2022-23 academic year should be received by March 28, 2025. Decisions will be announced in May 2025.