Lilly Endowment Fellowship

The Grinnell College Lilly Endowment Fellowship provides funding for postgraduate education in seminaries, rabbinical and cantorial colleges, and related professional and pre-professional programs. The fellowship is designed to increase the number of Grinnell College graduates who enter professional religious leadership. Fellowship funds may be used for tuition, living expenses, books, and other related educational expenses. These fellowships will be granted on the basis of the quality of program to be entered, seriousness of intent of the applicant, and on financial need. Fellowships may not be deferred, and are not automatically renewed, though previous winners may re-apply for further funding. Grinnell College graduates may receive a maximum of two years of funding under this Fellowship. This Fellowship is part of Grinnell's Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice.

Selection Criteria

These fellowships will be granted on the basis of:

  • the quality of program to be entered
  • seriousness of intent of the applicant
  • financial need
  • academic accomplishments and record

Application deadline and elements

Please be sure to talk with Deanna Shorb, Grinnell College's dean of religious life, about your application well in advance of the deadline for submission of your application. This may be done in person, or by calling (641) 269-4981. To be considered for the Grinnell College Lilly Endowment Fellowship, applicants must submit the following by 4:00pm Central time on April 8, 2013:

  • 2013 Lilly Postgraduate Fellowship application (click to download application)
  • Financial Need Form (included with application)
  • Scholarship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver (click to download)
  • Copy of a letter of acceptance from the institution you wish to attend and a statement regarding financial aid from the institution you wish to attend.
  • A one page explanation and justification of your budget, not including tuition.
  • A one to three page essay which addresses the following questions: What motivates you to seek a life in religious leadership? What factors have led you to this point? What are your aspirations after you complete your studies?
  • An unofficial transcript from Grinnell College (and any other institutions that are not noted on your Grinnell transcript, including grades).  This may be requested from the Registrar's office.
  • Two letters of recommendation should be submitted on your behalf by people who know you well. Forms for these letters are included with the application.

Please ensure that all application documents conform with these submission guidelines. Please submit all documents to: Office of Social Commitment 1233 Park St. Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112 Fax: (641) 269-4321

Ethical Guidelines

All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines

Previous winners

2012-13: Maggie Potthoff '08 (University of Chicago Divinity School); Andrew Kishman '10 (Union Theological Seminary); Jake Joseph '11 (Candler School of Theology, Emory University); Ethan Drutchas '12 (Vanderbilt University Divinity School)

2011-12: Jake Joseph '11 (Candler School of Theology, Emory University); Andrew Kishman '10 (Union Theological Seminary); Maggie Potthoff '08 (University of Chicago Divinity School)

2010-11:  Christopher Elderkin '08 (University of Chicago Divinity School); Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff '10 (Vancouver School of Theology); Christina Garguillo '08 (Starr King School for the Ministry); Ari Hart '04 (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School); Kelly Ryan '09 (Duke Divinty School); Adam Wert '10 (Harvard Divinity School); Laura Wilson '10 (Duke Divinity School); Lauren Wright '03 (Union Theological Seminary)

2009-10: Christopher Elderkin '08 (University of Chicago Divinity School); Ari Hart '04 (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School); Christina Garguillo Huechle '08 (Starr King School for Ministry); Kelly Ryan '09 (Duke Divinity School); Lauren Wright '03 (Union Theological Seminary)

2008-09: No applications received

2007-08: Elaine Aron '01 (Meadille/Lombard); Dorothea Basili '06 (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley)

2006-07: Elaine Aron '01 (Meadille/Lombard); Dorothea Basili '06 (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley); Elizabeth Blair '05 (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley); Bonnie Carenen '03 (Disciples Divinity House, Chicago); Saunia Powell '02 (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley)

2005-06: Leah Atkinson '99 (Eden Theological); Elizabeth Blair '05 (Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley) Bonnie Carenen '03 (University of Chicago Divinity School); Erin Dajka '04 (Meadville/Lombard); S. Claire Matheny '04 (Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary)

2004-05: Leah Atkinson '99 (Eden Theological), Erin Dajka '04 (Meadville/Lombard), Uiyeon Kim '03 (Duke University Divinity School); S. Claire Matheny '04 (Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary); Rachel Weiss '98 (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College); Nathan Williams '03 (Harvard Divinity School)

2003-04: Paul Ford '02 (University of Chicago Divinity School), Uiyeon Kim '03 (Duke University Divinity School), Moses Mason '99 (Chicago Theological School), Mary Nelson '02 (Emory University Candler School of Theology), Jacob Rhoads '03 (Harvard Divinity School), Rachel Weiss '98 (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College), Nathan Williams '03 (Harvard Divinity School)

2002-03: Paul Ford '02 (University of Chicago Divinity School), Mary Nelson '02 (Emory University Candler School of Theology)