2027 FASPE Clergy & Religious Leaders Fellowship

Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Clergy & Religious Leaders Fellowship, a fully funded, two-week international program dedicated to advancing ethical leadership and professional integrity among current and future religious leaders.

Unlike traditional Holocaust studies or genocide prevention courses, FASPE uses history as a catalyst for critical reflection on contemporary ethical challenges. Through immersive learning in Berlin and Poland—including site visits, faculty-led seminars, and interdisciplinary discussions with Journalism and Medical Fellows—participants will explore the moral responsibilities of clergy and the power of ethical leadership in today’s world.

Who Should Apply?

• Graduate students in religious or theological training (seminary, divinity school, rabbinical school, Muslim chaplaincy, or equivalent).
• Early-career clergy and religious leaders serving in congregations, chaplaincies, universities, hospitals, prisons, armed services, or related fields.
• Applicants of all faith traditions, political perspectives, and backgrounds who demonstrate leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and openness to dialogue.

Program Benefits

• Full funding: Travel, lodging, and program costs covered.
• Transformative learning: Daily seminars on pressing ethical questions, historical case studies, and practical dilemmas.
• Global community: Engage with diverse Fellows and alumni for ongoing professional support.
• Interdisciplinary perspective: Joint sessions with FASPE’s Medical and Journalism Fellows broaden insights into ethical responsibility across professions.

Key Dates & Timeline

• Program Dates: June 18– July 2, 2027
• Application Deadline: Sunday, January 3, 2027, at 11:59 PM EST
• Notification of Selection: Spring 2027

FASPE Clergy & Religious Leaders Fellows examine topics such as:

• The complicity of the clergy in the execution of Nazi policies, including by failing to speak out
• The role of confession, apologies and reconciliation
• The right and responsibility of religious leaders to be ethical educators
• pastoral leadership in a diverse community
• religious faith, exclusivism and the temptations toward prejudice and intolerance
• interfaith work and dialogue
• navigating multiple loyalties to institutional authorities, religious doctrine and policies, lay leaders, community needs and more
• end-of-life decisions and discussions (structured as an interdisciplinary session with Medical Fellows) tactics to address ethical issues

Fellowships and Scholarships you may apply?

• GIST Master and PhD Scholarships in South Korea (Spring Semester)
• 400 Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
  
• Chevening Oxford Center for Islamic Studies Fellowship in the UK
• Neville Shulman Challenge Award 2027 (Grants £10,000)

Eligibility Requirements

• Enrolled in graduate-level religious training or
• Working as a religious leader with a relevant graduate degree (earned May 2019 or later).
• Ordination is not required—all applicants pursuing or engaged in religious leadership are welcome.
• Must demonstrate maturity, leadership capacity, and commitment to thoughtful ethical engagement.

Required Documents

• Completed online application form
• Current résumé or CV
• Academic transcript (if currently enrolled) or proof of degree
• One to two letters of recommendation

Essay Questions:

1. Why are you interested in FASPE? What do you hope to gain from participating in the program? What perspectives or experiences would you contribute to enrich discussions?
2. What does it mean to you to be a professional? How do you see your responsibility as a professional in your profession?
3. Describe an ethical dilemma that you have encountered or expect to encounter in your career. What are the ethical issues for the individual religious leader in dealing with this challenge? How can or should you/the individual religious leader respond?
4. FASPE examines the role, behavior, choices, and ethical lapses of the professionals during the Nazi regime. Where do you think that you personally are most vulnerable to ethical violations?
5. We live in complicated times with enormous ethical challenges, extreme partisanship, and strongly-held opinions. FASPE is a multifaith program with Fellows drawn from a number of faith traditions, and requires engaging in civil dialogue with individuals who cross faith traditions while grappling with difficult topics and participating in controversial discussions. Why will you succeed in such an atmosphere?
6. Tell us about a novel, play, poem, painting, sculpture, piece of music, or other work of art (loosely defined) that has had an impact on who you are today, and tell us why.

How to apply? 

To apply for the Clergy & Religious Leaders Program, check the application portal.

• Please submit all required documents by January 3, 2027.
• Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a brief interview.
• Selected Fellows will receive full participation details in Spring 2026.

Why Apply

As a FASPE Clergy Fellow, you will join a distinguished network of alumni who serve as clergy, chaplains, theologians, and educators worldwide—all committed to fostering ethical leadership in their communities. The program is an opportunity to confront complex moral issues, deepen your professional identity, and build lasting global relationships that will support your lifelong service.

For more information, program photos, or to apply, visit the FASPE Clergy & Religious Leaders Program Website

Be part of a transformative experience—shape your leadership, strengthen your voice, and make an enduring impact through ethical action.

Applicants do not need to be ordained or planning to pursue ordination/smicha/formal recognition from their tradition to be eligible.

FASPE Clergy & Religious Leaders applicants must either be enrolled in graduate school preparing for work as a religious leader at the time of application or they must be working as a religious leader with a relevant graduate degree received May 2020 or after.

Documents Completed online application form Current résumé or CV Academic transcript (if currently enrolled) or proof of degree One to two letters of recommendation