Jay Phillips Center Scholars in Interreligious Studies

The Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies (JPC) is an academic center in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota is dedicated to the multi- and interdisciplinary study of interreligious relations and understanding. The center collaborates with the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota to promote the public understanding of interreligious relations through dialogue, encounter, and civic engagement. The JPC advances the field of Interreligious Studies as an academic discipline, especially by connecting scholarship with public engagement and practice.

The Jay Phillips Center Scholars in Interreligious Studies program brings together a small group of exceptional emerging scholars each year for mentorship, scholarly development, public engagement, and field-building. Fellows work closely with distinguished Senior Scholars-in-Residence, and become part of a multi-generational network shaping the future of Interreligious Studies.

Scholars selected for this fellowship receive:

• $2,000 unrestricted stipend to support AAR participation, research needs, or personal expenses

• Fully funded 4-day residency at the University of St. Thomas

• Year-long mentorship

• Opportunity to share research at AAR/AIIS, with venues identified in collaboration with AIIS

• Opportunity to present to public and academic audiences during the UST residency

• Professional designation: “Jay Phillips Center Scholar in Interreligious Studies (2026–2027)”

• Peer cohort community and a lasting scholarly network

• Development of pedagogical, peer-coaching, public scholarship, and collaborative academic skills

• Manuscript mentorship with the Journal of Interreligious Studies toward peer-reviewed publication

This program is offered in collaboration with the Association for Interreligious/Interfaith Studies (AIIS).

Fellowship Audience

This program intentionally brings together scholars at different career stages, creating a multi-generational learning community:

• PhD students at any stage (pre-comps, ABD, or recently defended)

• Postdoctoral fellows and recent PhD graduates (within 7 years of degree)

• Early-career faculty (tenure-track or contingent, within 7 years of PhD)

• Independent scholars engaged in IRS scholarship (within 7 years of PhD)

• Master’s-level scholars may be considered if they have significant professional, instructional, or scholarly experience (e.g., several years of undergraduate teaching or equivalent work) that demonstrates readiness for sustained research engagement and cohort-based scholarly exchange.