St Augustine's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £279,378 (2024)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £50,000
• Decision Time: Applications by 1 December, decisions by 31 May
• Geographic Focus: Anglican Communion worldwide, particularly the Majority World (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Pacific)
• Focus: Theological education and ministerial training

Contact Details

Website: www.staugustinesfoundation.org

Email: staugustinef@gmail.com

Phone: 07989 389530

Administrator: Stephen Lyon

Overview

St Augustine's Foundation was established by Royal Charter in 1979, drawing on the heritage of the original Missionary College of St Augustine Canterbury founded in the nineteenth century. With annual expenditure of £279,378 (year ending September 2024), the Foundation supports theological education throughout the Anglican Communion, with particular emphasis on the Majority World. Its mission is to “Resource Theological Education in the Anglican Communion” by strengthening the capacity of institutions to provide high-quality theological education for ordained and lay people. The Foundation offers three main funding streams: doctoral scholarships (up to £50,000), fellowships for church leaders and educators (up to £3,000), and innovation grants for institutions (£1,000-£15,000 per year). In recent years, the Foundation consolidated several linked scholarship funds, enhancing its capacity to support theological education globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Doctoral Scholarships: £50,000 maximum (total for 3-4 years)

• 2 scholarships awarded annually
• For candidates from the Majority World undertaking doctoral research
• Rolling basis, annual deadline 1 December

Fellowships: £3,000 maximum (one-time, non-renewable)

• 10 fellowships awarded annually
• For licensed Anglican ministers (lay or ordained)
• Support for professional development, teaching exchanges, master's degrees, writing/mentoring, student cohort training
• Applications accepted until 1 December, decisions by 31 May

Innovation Fund: £1,000 - £15,000 per year (up to £25,000 over two years)

• For recognized Anglican and ecumenical theological institutions
• Supports innovative approaches to theological education
• Limited to one award per province per application round
• Application form available online

Priority Areas

• Theological education in the Majority World: Strengthening capacity in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, and Pacific regions
• Supporting underrepresented groups: People under-represented in theological education
• Staff development: Enhancing skills of theological educators
• Innovative teaching and learning: New approaches to curriculum and pedagogy
• Partnerships: Collaborative projects between provinces and institutions
• Ministerial formation: Training for ordained and lay ministers
• Teaching exchanges: Theologians from one Province teaching in another
• Library and IT provision: Enhancing educational resources

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals who have already commenced doctoral studies
• General operating budgets or routine expenses
• Projects that duplicate existing courses rather than innovate
• Multiple fellowships to the same Diocese or Province in one year (normally)
• Family support for scholarship recipients
• Applicants outside the Anglican Communion
• Institutions not recognized by an Anglican Province

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Professor Jennifer Strawbridge (Chair) - Associate Professor in New Testament Studies, Mansfield College, University of Oxford
• Rev. Canon Tim Naish (Vice-Chair)
• Rev. Dr Peniel Rajkumar (Trustee, Chair of Scholarship Committee) - USPG
• David White (Trustee)
• Venerable William Adam (Trustee)
• Rt Revd Dr Anderson Jeremiah (Trustee)

The Scholarship Committee includes 12 additional international members from theological institutions globally, including representatives from Botswana, DRC, Kenya, and the Anglican Communion Office, ensuring diverse expertise in assessing applications.

Administrator: Stephen Lyon coordinates all applications and provides administrative support.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Doctoral Scholarships:

1. Read guidance notes carefully before applying
2. Obtain support from proposed training institution and supervisor
3. Secure endorsement from Diocese and/or Province
4. Submit detailed research proposal and 2,500-word work sample
5. Forward all paperwork to Administrator by 1 December
6. Applications can be based on provisional place “subject to funding”

Fellowships:

1. Review guidance notes at end of application form
2. Obtain full diocesan or provincial endorsement
3. Outline project purpose and mentoring arrangements
4. Explain relevance to ministry and mission of wider Church
5. Maximum 3 applications per theological institution annually
6. Submit by 1 December

Innovation Fund:

1. Download application form from website
2. Pre-application discussions welcomed about innovative initiatives
3. Demonstrate innovative nature and potential for broader impact
4. Show focus on underrepresented groups where applicable
5. Contact Foundation about working with other funding bodies

Decision Timeline

• Application deadline: 1 December (all programs)
• Decisions announced: By 31 May (Fellowships confirmed)
• Funding payment: Scholarships paid annually upon satisfactory progress reports

Success Rates

The Foundation awards:

• 2 doctoral scholarships annually from applications received
• 10 fellowships annually from applications received
• Variable number of innovation grants (limited to one per province per round)

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

• Scholarships will not be awarded to individuals who have already commenced doctoral studies
• Fellowships are non-renewable for recipients
• No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants to reapply
• Institutions can submit up to 3 fellowship applications per year

Application Success Factors

For Doctoral Scholarships:

• Clear, focused research proposal: “Research topic must have clear focus” and be “completable in 80,000 words”
• Demonstrated existing skills: Work sample must demonstrate existing research skills and knowledge
• Strong institutional support: Endorsement from training institution, proposed supervisor, and Diocese/Province essential
• Commitment to return: Must demonstrate intention to “return to minister in the diocese or province which sponsored their application”
• Future contribution: Commitment to “resourcing theological education across the Anglican Communion” after completion

For Fellowships:

• Innovation and leadership: The Foundation seeks to “enhance the skills and experience of innovative church leaders and theological educators”
• Clear outcomes: Must articulate “commitment to forming the next generation of lay and ordained theological educators and church leaders”
• Relevance to wider Church: Explain “relevance and value of the project to the ministry and mission of the wider Church”
• Mentoring commitment: "Successful applicants expected to be available to mentor and support future generations of St Augustine's Fellows"
• Full diocesan support: Requires complete endorsement from Diocese or Province

For Innovation Fund:

• Genuine innovation: Must demonstrate new approaches rather than repeating existing courses
• Supporting underrepresented groups: Priority given to projects focused on inclusion
• Potential for broader impact: Show how project can benefit beyond immediate context
• Partnership potential: Foundation is “keen to work with other funding bodies”
• Leading to wider benefit: Preference for “grants leading to theological education of others”

Examples of Previously Funded Projects:

• Church Army College Nairobi: Bursaries for 20 students plus library books
• Diocese of Europe: Formative study pilgrimage to Jerusalem for ministry trainees (2019)
• Diocese of Lebombo: Three-year grant for in-service training for clergy, catechists and group leaders (2018)
• Gloria Nduhukire: Support for accommodation and laptop during Master of Divinity studies at Uganda Christian University
• Rev. Fr Linus John Buriani: Two-year theology degree at McGill University, Canada

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Anglican Communion membership essential: All funding restricted to Anglican Communion members recognized by Anglican Consultative Council
• Majority World priority for scholarships: Doctoral scholarships specifically target candidates from developing regions who will return to serve
• Strong diocesan/provincial endorsement crucial: All applications require full support from ecclesiastical authorities
• Early preparation vital: December 1 deadline requires coordination between candidate, diocese, and institution well in advance
• Innovation valued over duplication: Particularly for Innovation Fund, demonstrate new approaches rather than repeating existing programs
• Long-term commitment expected: Scholars and fellows must commit to mentoring future generations and resourcing theological education
• Pre-application contact welcomed: Foundation open to discussions about innovative initiatives before formal submission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Li Tim Oi Foundation
• Westminster College Trust, Oxford
• Lord Crewe's Charity
• The Jerusalem Trust
• The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited
• THE GIBBS CHARITABLE TRUSTS
• ULTING OVERSEAS TRUST
• Blackfriars Overseas Aid Trust
• The Cumber Family Charitable Trust
• HEB FFIN (WITHOUT FRONTIER)

References

• St Augustine's Foundation official website: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/ (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Scholarship program details: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/scholarships (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Fellowship program details: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/fellowships (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Innovation Fund details: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/innovation-fund (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Foundation history and vision: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/our-story (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Leadership and governance: https://www.staugustinesfoundation.org/people (accessed 8 December 2024)
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/307961 (accessed 8 December 2024)