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FAQs

What is needed for a full application for selected applicants from the initial round?

Selected applicants in the initial round will be notified by January 15, 2026 and invited to submit a full application by February 15, 2026. This full application must include:
 
1. A cover letter that includes the following information: (a) Please give us the names of two people who can speak to the merits of the project and your ability to execute it. References may be contacted, and any letters that are requested by the evaluation committee can be brief, informal, and sent via e-mail. Please communicate this to your references and please include their e-mail addresses in the cover letter. (b) Please let us know whether you intend to remain an employee at another institution during the fellowship period, or will become a Notre Dame employee for the academic year. If you will become a Notre Dame employee during the fellowship period, the total fellowship award will be $80,000 plus benefits. If you intend to remain an employee at another institution, the full award amount is the lesser of $80,000 or the amount required by your institution’s leave policy to secure your leave with full pay and benefits. (The Center for Philosophy of Religion does not pay “indirect costs” on top of the award amount.) Your cover letter should clearly state exactly what amount will be required to secure your leave. (c) Please indicate where you learned about our fellowships. This helps us to know where we should be advertising.
 
2. A project narrative, not to exceed 1,500 words (excluding references), describing the project on which you would like to work while in residence at the Center.
 
3. An updated (if applicable) curriculum vitae.
 
4. One published or unpublished paper.
 
Application materials must be submitted electronically to philreligion@nd.edu. Application materials must be submitted as a single PDF in the order listed above. The PDF must be titled in the following manner: Last Name, First Name. If you have questions, please email us at philreligion@nd.edu.

I am a philosopher who is interested in applying. Do I need to specialize in philosophy of religion or propose a project in philosophy of religion?

No, philosophers applying need not propose a project in philosophy of religion--projects need only bear some connection to the field. In recent years, we've funded work in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and history, for example. We encourage philosophers working in all fields to apply! We also encourage applications from other humanities disciplines who have projects that could be productively discussed in a weekly works-in-progress group attended primarily by faculty and graduate students working in philosophy of religion.

For the 2026 – 2027 academic year we are especially interested in research proposals that relate to love, beauty, and attention. Proposals that engage this topic only indirectly will also be considered, though we will prioritize proposals that more directly engage the focal theme or closely adjacent questions. We are particularly interested in projects that will do so in dialogue with contemporary moral psychology, epistemology, or theology. Historically focused proposals are also welcome; and here we have special interest in projects that will engage the work of Plato, Augustine, Soren Kierkegaard, Simone Weil, or Iris Murdoch in ways that will be accessible to analytic philosophers and theologians.

Must I have a home institution in order to apply for a Research Fellowship?

No, we welcome applications from postdocs.

You may request the entire stipend as salary, or divide it between salary and research/relocation funding. Note that reimbursement of some relocation expenses are taxable, such as the moving of household goods.

Am I required to be in residence during the fellowship period?

Yes, fellows must commit to being in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the fellowship period.

By when must I have the Ph.D. completed in order to be eligible for a Research Fellowship?

Winning applicants for fellowships must have a Ph.D. prior to the time of appointment (August of the relevant academic year).

I am a faculty member at Notre Dame. Can I apply?

Notre Dame faculty are not eligible for Center fellowships.

Are letters of recommendation required for applications?

No, letters of recommendation are no longer required for applications. We are trying to reduce the letter writing burden on the profession. References may be contacted for some applicants at the final stage of selection.

When is the application deadline?

December 31, 2025 is the CPR fellowship initial application deadline for AY2026-2027 residential fellowships. February 15, 2026 is the deadline for full applications from invited applicants selected in the initial round. Invitations to submit full applications will be extended by January 15, 2026.

When are selections announced?

We expect that all applicants will be notified via email by April 1.