Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Publications on the Topic of “God and Spirituality”

Young researchers around the globe with outstanding dissertations or a published book on the topic of “God and Spirituality” will continue to receive support in the future. The “Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise“ will be given starting in 2013. The award, as before conferred by the Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology (FIIT), will replace the former prize for work in this field, financed over the last years by the John Templeton Foundation. The Lautenschlaeger Award will be presented each year to ten young researchers throughout the world working in various disciplines such as theology, philosophy, religious studies, ethics and neighbouring fields.

The Lautenschlaeger Award is endowed with prize monies in the amount of $10,000 each. Doctoral dissertations or the first book published after receipt of the doctoral degree will be honoured. Each year‘s recipients will also have the opportunity to organise two colloquia. These international, interdisciplinary events will each receive funding in the amount of €15,000. The colloquia are to be organised and led by at least two award recipients from different countries and disciplines. Dr. h.c. Manfred Lautenschläger, Honorary Senator of Heidelberg University and the award’s benefactor, has the gratitude of FIIT Director, Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Welker: “We are extremely appreciative of the support of Manfred Lautenschläger, as it allows us to continue to advance committed and qualified researchers and their international and interdisciplinary collaboration.”

The former prize, awarded from 2007 to 2011 and financed by the John Templeton Foundation, was presented every year in May at Heidelberg University in conjunction with a colloquium at the International Science Forum Heidelberg (IWH). The gathering offered the recipients, selected from all over the world, the opportunity to present their current projects and discuss them with other scholars. A total of 60 young researchers from 17 countries and of various religious affiliations and academic fields each received the $10,000 prize.

The Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology, which was founded at Heidelberg University in 2005, is dedicated to interdisciplinary research of relevant theological and societal issues. It weaves together twelve areas of research, thirteen as of next year, led by Heidelberg researchers from theology and related disciplines.

Applications for the “Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise” 2013 can be submitted until 31 May 2012. For details online, see www.fiit.uni-heidelberg.de/fiit.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Welker
Caroline Gödde (Office)
Department of Scientific Theology
Phone: +49 6221 54-3356
mw@uni-hd.de

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