We seek people who are passionate about Jesus Christ, spiritually grounded, ecumenically oriented and committed to growing their leadership capacity in an increasingly complex world. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and be exceptionally gifted in ministry, innovation, creativity, and other qualities that will make them successful leaders for a changing church. All applicants must plan to be enrolled at an ELCA seminary during the coming academic year and must be pursuing rostered ministry in the ELCA. The following eligibility criteria apply for specific scholarship types:
- Full-tuition scholarship candidates:
- Must have been offered admission by at least one ELCA seminary, anticipate receiving an offer of admission by application due date or be an admitted student at an ELCA seminary.
- Plan to enroll as a new, first-year ELCA seminary student in the fall of the coming academic year. Students who will have completed no more than one semester of seminary coursework by the start of the upcoming fall semester are also eligible to apply.
- Are pursuing a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree.
- Are pursuing rostered ministry in the ELCA – Word and Sacrament or Word and Service.
- Applicants must have begun the candidacy process in an ELCA synod. If applicants have not received a positive entrance decision at the time of application submission, the applicant’s synod bishop must give permission for FFL to consider their application. Scholarships are provisional until the applicant receives a positive entrance decision.
- Those planning to pursue the following types of seminary programs ARE eligible to apply:
- On campus, hybrid or distance learning.
- Master of Divinity (deacon or pastor candidates) or Master of Arts (deacon candidates) degree program.
- Mission developer scholarship candidates:
- Must be identified and nominated by their seminary in coordination with their synod bishop/DEM.
- Must be a current student (2025-2026 academic year) at an ELCA seminary.
- Must be pursuing a place on the ELCA roster as either a pastor or deacon.
- Can be residential or non-residential students.
- Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program.
- May have been awarded a FFL Synod or Congregation Scholarship.
- Federal Chaplaincy scholarship candidates:
- Must be attending an ELCA seminary.
- Must be preparing for ministry as a military, Veterans Administration (VA) or federal prison chaplain and enrolling or enrolled as a Master of Divinity student at an ELCA seminary.
- Military applicants must intend to pursue appointment as a chaplain candidate and a commissioned officer. VA hospital or prison chaplaincy applicants must have completed one unit of CPE.
- Must be pursuing a place on the ELCA roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament (pastors).
Synod or congregation scholarship and TEEM scholarship candidates:
Candidates for synod or congregation scholarships must be nominated. Not every synod has a Fund for Leaders scholarship to give away. We suggest reaching out to your synod to inquire about potential resources that may be available.
All TEEM candidates studying at an ELCA seminary are eligible to receive the yearly TEEM scholarship as long as they have coursework remaining to complete their program. Students who have completed all coursework and are working on other ordination requirements (such as CPE) are not eligible.
TEEM scholarship recipients are identified at the ELCA seminaries by the TEEM program director.
