Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs

2025 Program Year Now Closed

The Clergy Renewal 2025 Program year is now closed. We will not accept any additional proposals for renewal leaves planned in 2026. When the 2026 Program year opens in early November, we will accept proposals written in support of renewal leaves planned in 2027. All congregations who submitted proposals to the 2025 Program year can expect to receive a decision about their proposals on Friday, August 29.

Applying

The Clergy Renewal Programs is currently accepting proposals to the 2025 program year. Please consult the Request for Proposals document available below for complete details and information. Additional helpful videos and downloadable handouts are available in the Grant Seekers section linked above.

We invite you to follow our program-specific Facebook pages to keep up with the latest information: National Clergy Renewal Program and Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations.

Important Note

Beginning with the 2021 programs, the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs made two significant changes regarding eligibility for, and design of, clergy renewal leaves.

  • First, in the National program, pastors are now considered eligible if they are ordained, currently serving in a ministerial role within a local congregation, in good standing with their denomination or network, and have shown a commitment to education. This last standard may be met in a variety of ways, including completion of contextually appropriate and accredited certificate, undergraduate, and Master degree programs.
  • Second, congregations and pastors may, if desired, propose a series of shorter leaves (taken across no more than 24 months) in place of the uninterrupted 3-4 month leaves that traditionally have been encouraged. We anticipate still that the total amount of time in which the pastor is away is a minimum of three months. The intent behind this greater flexibility is to allow pastors and congregations to experience renewal in a rhythm that best fits their needs.

Indiana Clergy Renewal Program

The 2024 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations Request for Proposals available below serves as a reliable example of what to expect from the 2025 edition that will be posted here in early November. The RFP provides a full description of the program as noted at the top of this page.

Indiana Request for Proposals (RFP)
Indiana RFP - Complete Program Information, Proposal Instructions and Forms

Download

Indiana Program Fillable Form Pages Only (Not the Complete Proposal)

Download

Please note: complete these forms in your web browser before saving to your computer.

National Clergy Renewal Program

The 2024 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program Request for Proposals available below serves as a reliable example of what to expect from the 2025 edition that will be posted here in early November. The RFP provides a full description of the program as noted at the top of this page.

National Request for Proposals (RFP)
National RFP - Complete Program Information, Proposal Instructions and Forms

Download

National Program Fillable Form Pages Only (Not the Complete Proposal)

Download

Please note: complete these forms in your web browser before saving to your computer.

Additional Resources for Grant Seekers

Videos, request for proposals and handouts for Clergy Renewal Program grant seekers.

View resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7HeoG8wA5M
2024 Informational Webinar

What will make your heart sing?

November 25, 2024
2024 Clergy Renewal Program Information Webinar describes the programs, explains how to submit a proposal, where to find current application materials, and provides answers to commonly asked questions.

Play Video
Launch video

CRP News & Press Releases

Clergy Renewal Program
November 5, 2024

Christian Theological Seminary Announces 198 Congregations Awarded Lilly Endowment 2024 Clergy Renewal Program Grants

Christian Theological Seminary, an ecumenical seminary based in Indianapolis, today announces 198 congregations from across the United States have been…
Chris Edwards
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Clergy Renewal Program
December 6, 2023

Christian Theological Seminary Announces Over 200 Congregations Awarded Lilly Endowment 2023 Clergy Renewal Program Grants

Christian Theological Seminary, an ecumenical seminary based in Indianapolis, today announces 229 congregations from across the United States have been…
Chris Edwards
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Clergy Renewal Program
October 14, 2022

Christian Theological Seminary Announces 197 Congregations Awarded Lilly Endowment 2022 Clergy Renewal Program Grants

Note to media: Please check the list of recipients in the body of this release to see if a congregation(s)…
Chris Edwards
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