The Louisville Institute is now offering a record number of Sabbatical Grants for Pastoral Leaders. This year it will offer up to 60 sabbatical grants as it opens its 2004 request for proposals—20 more than in previous years. The purpose of these grants is to help support spiritual growth and renewal for the clergy. Recognizing that time is a precious resource, these grants are designed to provide pastoral leaders with time to pray, contemplate, and study the nature of their vocation. All pastoral leaders in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for these grants, including pastors, parish priests, and church staff members.

The grants are offered for six-week ($6,000), eight-week ($8,000), or twelve-week ($12,000) sabbaticals. Pastoral leaders are invited to submit their sabbatical proposals for consideration. Completed proposals must be postmarked by September 15, 2004.

A program of Lilly Endowment Inc., the Louisville Institute was founded to enrich the religious life of American Christians and to encourage the revitalization of their institutions, by bringing together those who lead religious institutions with those who study them, so that the work of each might stimulate and inform the other.

For more information on The Louisville Institute or to request an application, visit the website, or contact William Brosend at The Louisville Institute, (502) 895-3411, ext. 431, e-mail: wbrosend@louisville-institute.org.