ELCA Fund for Leaders Federal Chaplaincy Ministries Scholarship
Offered by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Fund for Leaders
About this scholarship
The ELCA Fund for Leaders Federal Chaplaincy Ministries Scholarship supports full-time ELCA seminary students preparing to serve as military, Veterans Administration, or federal prison chaplains. The next direct application opens February 8 and closes March 12, 2027 through ELCA GrantMaker. Applicants must be enrolled in a Master of Divinity program at an ELCA seminary, pursue the ELCA roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament, and be developing a federal chaplaincy vocation. Military-track students must intend to seek appointment as a chaplain candidate and commissioned officer. VA or federal-prison candidates must have completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. The guidelines also require a Synod Authorization Form signed by the synod bishop and a Federal Chaplaincy Ministries discernment-verification form. Students receiving Fund for Leaders full-tuition or synod/congregation scholarships remain eligible; this award is intended to add support for study-related, including non-tuition, expenses. Award size varies because ELCA bases it on endowment resources and the number selected. The scholarship is for one year, but recipients may reapply while they continue to meet the requirements.
Eligibility
- Attend an ELCA seminary full time in a Master of Divinity program
- Prepare for military, Veterans Administration, or federal prison chaplaincy
- Pursue the ELCA roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament
- For the military track, intend to seek chaplain-candidate appointment and a commission
- For the VA or prison track, have completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education
- Obtain a Synod Authorization Form signed by the synod bishop
- Obtain the required Federal Chaplaincy Ministries discernment verification
- Apply through GrantMaker by March 12, 2027