These grants are intended to stimulate cooperative research among scholars in several institutions, with a focus on a clearly identified research project.
Grants can provide funds for networking and communication.
They may also be used for interdisciplinary work with scholars outside the field of religion, especially when such work shows promise of continuing beyond the year funded. In addition, grants may be used to support small research conferences. Scholars in small institutions, departments, or programs without research support, and scholars who are institutionally unaffiliated are especially encouraged to apply. These grants provide support for important aspects of research, such as travel to archives and libraries, research assistance, field work, and release time, for which funds are not otherwise available. Scholars in small institutions, departments, or programs without research support, and scholars who are not affiliated with an institution are especially encouraged to apply.