The Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research is a residential center for study and reflection, a quiet, resourceful environment where scholars and church leaders come for research, writing, and dialogue in a community setting. The Institute encourages constructive thought in historical, literary, artistic, philosophical, sociological, theological, and other kinds of research which bear upon the Christian tradition, including the relationship of Christianity to culture. Oriented to Christian faith ecumenically understood, the Institute also welcomes persons from other religious traditions. Applications are accepted for one term or for the full academic year. There is a fee for housing, study facilities, privileges at Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict, and the Institute's program of dialogue and community experience. The residency fee has been set through 2006 at $3,400 for the full year; $1,600 for the fall semester only; $2,000 for the spring semester only.

Scholarships of up to $1,000 are available through universities or seminaries to full-time graduate students who are citizens of the United States or Canada and who are pursuing and M.Div. degree with the purpose of becoming ministers of an organized congregation. Applicants must have a B average for all graduate and undergraduate work and must be enrolled in a school or seminary accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Applicants requests are accepted between January 1 and March 31 and must include a stamped, self-addressed business envelope, name of the institution in which you are enrolled, anticipated graduation date, and the source of your information about this scholarship.

A student shall be a Certified Candidate for Ministry in good standing with his/her District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and must be enrolled in a graduate school listed by the University Senate with the intent to complete the M.Div. Degree or a Master's Degree in specialized ministry, be ordained as a Deacon or Elder, and serve in the ministry in the Iowa Annual Conf. of the United Methodist Church. Funds Available:

1. $2,000 per year for three academic years, as a grant (given as $1,000 per semester upon receipt of application requesting the funds with the Seminary Registrar's signature). Application forms may be requested from the Board of Ordained Ministry Loans and Grants Coordinator on from the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
2. $400, one time, to cover the costs of the basic quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). The application procedure is the same as above. Fall grants will be processed between August 15 and November 15. Spring grants will be processed between January 15 and May 15. These grants will be awarded on a per semester basis, and cannot be awarded retroactively. A student has permission to photo copy the blank form to have one on hand for the next semester. This is for all Loan/Grant forms.

Certified Candidates for ministry who are African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic or Native-American may be eligible for funds in addition to those identified above, as budgeted through the Iowa Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Applications are to be requested and processed as per 1) above.

Funds available: Up to $500 per year loan/grant supplement, for a maximum of three years, as determined by documented financial need. An additional amount of up to $500 may be provided to an applicant if funds are available and special financial need is documented.