Scholars Program
Introduction
The Tantur Ecumenical Institute welcomes junior and senior scholars in theology, biblical studies, church history and other disciplines, especially in ecumenical or interreligious fields. The program is not a set of academic courses but the opportunity to pursue research in a residential community of learning (from time to time scholars meet in colloquia to discuss each others' work). Tantur has a well-stocked library of 70,000 volumes and over 400 journals. Scholars have access also to local specialized libraries (e.g., École Biblique, the Albright and Rockefeller Archeological Institutes, and Hebrew University). Our favourable costs for living in expensive Israel are made possible by the Tantur Scholarship Fund
Scholarships
Partial scholarship means paying a subsidized price for these services, lower than other scholars and students. The rate paid by scholars-in-residence does not meet the actual costs, so constitutes a partial scholarship. Thus all scholars-in-residence should meet these requirements:
Scholarship is primarily for those with graduate degrees who are teaching in theological seminaries, in departments of religious studies, or in other institutes of religious education. It is also available to those junior scholars who already are in the midst of writing their directed theses on an ecumenical or interreligious topic.
A reasonably good ability to read and speak English is necessary.
Applicants must submit a brief outline of the projected research at Tantur. Strong preference is given to a topic in broad ecumenical and/or interreligious fields.
Full scholarship covers tuition, room and full board for a period of two to four months, from early September until May. Exceptions can be made for those who can only stay less than eight weeks. Because of the limited annual amounts in the Scholarship Fund, Tantur can offer full scholarships only according to these guidelines:
The requirements listed under Partial Scholarship (above).
Preference to an applicant who is in a teaching position in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Latin America, or Eastern Europe, and will return to that position.
Preference to one whose application has been first processed by a competent agency (church, or ecumenical, or educational), which initiates and recommends the request.
Strong preference to one who has a partial scholarship from another source. In such a case, Tantur works out the matching funds.
A full or partial scholarship never includes travel expenses to and from Israel, funds for accompanying spouse and/or children, or personal expenses during the stay at Tantur.
Costs
As noted above, the actual costs for a person staying at the Institute are higher than the rates paid by Resident Scholars. Other scholars pay a higher per diem rate. All fees below are paid in US Dollars.
Application Fee
$100 (non-refundable) must be sent with Application Form.
Academic Fee
- Up to six weeks - $275
- Academic Semester - $600
This includes: right (also for spouse) to attend any guest lectures, and classes/seminars in the Continuing Education / Spiritual Renewal program (see dates below); Scholars' Colloquia; 24-hour use of library, and a private library study room.
Field Trip Charges
Costs depend on time, distance, entrance fee and size of rented bus, but amount to no more than $400 over a three-month period - for Tantur-based trips. The five-day Galilee trip costs $950.
Room and Full Board (per month)
- In single study/bedroom with private bath - $1600
- In single room, bath shared with next room - $1450
- Spouses in double room with private bath, each - $1200
Apartments
Kitchen, living room, full utilities; limited in number and restricted to families
- Two bedrooms - $1375/month
- Three bedrooms - $1510/month
Meals in Dining Room
- Breakfast - $8
- Lunch, Dinner - $15
Recommendation
From practical experience we know that it is of real advantage also to scholars who pursue their own programs of research and writing to participate in the introductory week of the Continuing Education / Spiritual Renewal sessions. We recommend scholars to consider beginning their Tantur stay by taking part in this week. All scholars (and their spouses) are entitled to take part in any classes/seminars in the Continuing Education program, guest lectures, and Scholars' Colloquia. Only field trips cost extra
DATES FOR THE CONTINUING EDUCATION / SPIRITUAL RENEWAL SESSIONS
Principal sessions in 2010
February 9 - March 23, 2010
September 8 - December 3, 2010
Principal sessions in 2011
February 16 - March 29, 2011
September 7 - December 1, 2011
