John Stott Endowment Initiatives

John Stott Faculty Research Grants

The John Stott Faculty Research Grant in Human Needs and Global Resources exists to support faculty research and creative projects on core themes of poverty/wealth, injustice, violence/peace, human dignity, environmental impacts of human activities, and flourishing of the earth and its inhabitants.  This program prioritizes projects conducted on these themes in Asia, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, and the Middle East; however, compelling proposals that address the core themes in other regions, or about circumstances in the focus regions that do not involve travel, are also permitted.  

Application Information

Please use the online application form. Applications are due by October 3, 2024. Applicants for this grant may also choose to simultaneously apply for Faculty Study/Research Leave funding (see above). 

Previous Recipients

• 2016-17
  • Melissa Harkrider (History), ᏚᏳᎪᏛᎢ (Du-yu-dv-i): Living the Right Way—the Gospel and Cherokee Hymnody in Nineteenth Century America
  • Christine Kepner (Spanish), Hispanic Cinema: Teaching for Justice and Mercy
  • Shawn Okpebholo (Music), An Album of Negro Spirituals, Slave Songs, and Folk Hymns
  • Amy Reynolds (Sociology), Economic Advocacy and the Global South
  • Gregory Schreck (Art/Photography), Genesis Portrait Photography Project in Guatemala
  • Christa Tooley (Anthropology), Urban Scots Respond to Brexit
• 2017-18
  • George Kalantzis (Bible and Theological Studies),Welcoming the Stranger: Developing a "Theology of Refugees" amidst the Crisis in Greece
  • John McConnell (Psychology), A Culturally Sensitive Needs Assessment of Social Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation for Native Hawaiians
  • Nestor Quiroa (Modern and Classical Languages), Maya Testimonial Literature in Post-Conflict Guatemala: Narratives of a Past and a Peaceful Present
  • Amy Reynolds (Sociology), International Development Dialogues
  • David VanDyke (Psychology), Needs assessment and development of a Central and Eastern European Post-MA MFT Certificate Program
• 2018-19
  • Sharenda Barlar and Susan Dunn-Hensley (Modern and Classical Languages/English), Return of the Pilgrim: Restoring Sacred Networks in Spain and the British Isles
  • Christine Jeske (Anthropology), Voluntary Downward Class Mobility in South Africa
  • Joonhee Park (Communications), Forgiven/Forgotten: Rwanda Reconciliation Center Media Installation
  • Nestor Quiroa (Spanish), Maya Testimonial Literature in Post-Conflict Guatemala: Creating 'Mayaness' in a Pluri-religious Modern Society
  • Gilles Tagne (Geology), Comprehensive Assessment of Improved and Unimproved Drinking Water Sources in Urban and Rural Sierra Leone, West Africa
  • John Trotter (Conservatory of Music), Majority World Ensemble Leadership Research
• 2019-20
  • James Huff (Human Needs and Global Resources), Formation for transformation: Latin American Christian Leaders in comparative perspective
  • Karen Johnson (History), John Perkins, Race, and Reconciliation
  • Muhia Karianjahi (HoneyRock), Christian Camping in the Global South: Models from Christian Camping International (CCI) Regional Networks in Africa, India, Central and South America
  • Cherith Lundin (Art), Production and Creation: Exploring processes of making and knowing from Oaxaca to Chicago
  • Carlos Sosa (Bible and Theological Studies), Latin America and Latino and Latina New Testament Hermeneutics
  • Christa Tooley (Urban Studies), Production and Creation: exploring processes of making and knowing from Oaxaca to Chicago
• 2020-21
  • Kathryn Alexander (Politics and International Relations), Middle Eastern Soft Power and the Politics of Islamic Practice in Italy
  • Karen Johnson (History), Wisdom from History: Leaning About and From Christian Interracial Movements in America’s Racial Past
• 2021-22
  • Thomas Boehm (Education), Disability Development in International Contexts
  • Christine Jeske (Sociology & Anthropology), Racial Justice Identifying White Exemplars
  • Timothy Klingler (Modern and Classical Languages), Developing/Expanding MCL/HNGR/GPS/Aequitas Programs in Mexico/Latin/South America
  • Jennifer McNutt, (Biblical and Theological Studies), Exploring How French Bibles were Shaped by and for Early Refugee Crisis up until the Edict of Toleration
  • Tim Taylor (Business and Economics), Teaching and Development: Exploring Non-Western Approaches to Development in Bhutan
• 2022-23
  • Alex Haskins (Political Science and International Relations), An Appeal to the World: Universalism, Particularism, and Domination in the Political Thought of Montesquieu, Wei Yuan, and Du Bois
  • Christine Jeske (Sociology & Anthropology), The 9%, What Motivates White Christians who Are Dedicated to Addressing Racial Justice
  • Karen Johnson (History), Wisdom from History: How Christians have Engaged Race in the Past and What We Can Learn from Them
  • Muhia Karianjahi (Outdoor and Adventure Leadership), Christian Camping in the Global South: Models from India
  • Charles Liu (Psychology), Fulbright Seed Funding: Cultural Beliefs about Mental Health in Thailand
  • Joonhee Park (Communications), The Right to Forget and the Duty to Remember
  • John Trotter (Conservatory), Ensemble Leadership in Cultural Context
• 2023-24
  • Johann Buis (Conservatory), Finding a Musical Titanic in Africa
  • Theon Hill (Communications), Promoting Racial Justice via Black Entrepreneurship: A Communication Perspective
  • Charles Liu (Psychology), Cultural Beliefs About Mental Illness, Stigma, and Help-seeking in Urban and Rural Thailand
  • Cherith Lundin (Art), Learning through Exchange:  Fortifying Community Art Collaboration between Wheaton & Oaxaca
  • Kaye Lee Patton (Art), Learning through Exchange: Fortifying Ongoing Community Art Collaboration between Wheaton & Oaxaca

Faculty Study/Research Leave

The John Stott Faculty Study/Research Leave initiative impacts the Wheaton campus long-term by investing deeply in faculty development through a significant international engagement with core themes and the partnership-based approach of the Human Needs and Global Resources Program. Pre-tenured and tenured teaching faculty are eligible to apply for a semester’s leave.

Application Information

Learn more about the funding by going to the Stott Faculty Study - Research Leave page. Applicants can also apply separately for project funding as described in the “Coverage” section; recipients of Stott Faculty Study/Research Leave funding are prioritized to receive up to $6000 from the John Stott Faculty Grants in Human Needs and Global Resources (see above).

Previous Recipients

• 2017: Dr. Gregory Schreck (Art/Photography), "Genesis Portrait Photography" (Guatemala)
• 2018: Dr. George Kalantzis (Biblical and Theological Studies), "Welcoming the Stranger: Developing a Theology of Refugees amidst the Crisis in Greece" (Greece)
• 2019: Dr. John Trotter (Conservatory of Music), "Music in Africa and Asia" (Multiple Locations)
• 2019: Dr. Nestor Quiroa (Modern and Classical Languages), "Mayan Language Research" (Guatemala)
• 2020: Dr. Christa Tooley (Sociology and Anthropology) and Professor Cherith Lundin (Art), “Production and Creation: Exploring processes of making and knowing from Oaxaca to Chicago" (Mexico)
• 2020: Dr. Carlos Sosa ( Biblical and Theological Studies), "Latin America and Latino and Latina New Testament Hermeneutics" (Guatemala)
• 2021: Dr. Karen Johnson (History), "Wisdom from History: Leaning About and From Christian Interracial Movements in America’s Racial Past" (US-Mississippi)
• 2023: Dr. Johann Buis (Conservatory), “Music-Enhanced Experiential Learning” (Tanzania)
• 2024: Dr. Tim Taylor (Politics and International Relations), “Local Responses to Immigration: Housing and Integration of Asylum Seekers in Scotland” (Scotland)
• 2024: Dr. Chuck Liu (Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy), Cultural Beliefs About Mental Illness, Stigma, and Help-seeking in Urban and Rural Thailand (Thailand)
• 2025: Prof. Kaye Lee Patton (Art), Learning through Exchange: Fortifying Ongoing Community Art Collaboration between Wheaton and Oaxaca (Mexico)

Stott Fellows Program

The John Stott Fellows initiative provides small Wheaton faculty cohorts with opportunities for experiential, interdisciplinary learning about themes related to the Human Needs and Global Resources Program mission and outcomes, in cooperation with Program partners. The Stott Fellows initiative cultivates collegial, ongoing faculty relationships and facilitates applied scholarly and creative projects that strengthen the work of Christian professionals engaged in holistic transformation. .

Application Information

We welcome faculty applicants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, as well as from Wheaton faculty who have a range of familiarity and experience with the HNGR program. Junior faculty and those without prior Program involvement are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Wheaton faculty cohort will be formed in the fall semester (Nov-Dec) and will travel to host site location for the inaugural Stott Fellows event (usually in the summer), where they will be accompanied by staff from a Program partner organization.  HNGR staff/faculty will administer program logistics, communications, and travel arrangements in coordination with hosting partner organizations.

Stott Fellows and partners participating in the cohort will have travel, lodging, and food covered by the Stott Endowment.  Fellows will also receive a stipend upon completion of the written reflection (or other project outputs) and participation in a campus event to share their learning with the campus community.

Previous Projects and Recipients

• 2024-25: “Pastoral accompaniment amidst environmental loss and displacement” hosted by Memoria Indígena (https://memoriaindigena.org/), in multiple locations throughout Colombia. Memoria Indígena staff organized a week-long meeting of fifteen Indigenous church and organizational leaders from Colombia, Panama, Brazil, Paraguay, Guatemala, Peru, Costa Rica, and Chile, who, together with Wheaton faculty, visited three different Indigenous communities facing displacement due to conflict, environmental loss, and territorial threats. Participants engaged in workshops that identified shared needs for ongoing psychosocial support, and will continue to work together to develop networks of pastoral accompaniment and practical training for indigenous Christians leaders across Latin America.
• Faculty participants include Dr. Danielle Corple (Communication), Dr. Arielle Akines (Modern and Classical Languages), Dr. Kristen Page (Biological and Health Sciences), Dr. Alex Haskins (Politics and International Relations), and Dr. George Kalantzis (Biblical and Theological Studies). 

International Visiting Scholar, Artist, or Practitioner

Note: This program is not currently accepting nominations until further notice.

The John Stott Visiting International Scholar/Artist/Practitioner in Human Needs & Global Resources provides an opportunity for individuals directly involved in addressing the wide array of human needs to spend approximately 1-4 months during the academic year (August-May) at Wheaton College, for the purpose of interacting with the campus community in both formal and informal ways over the course of her or his stay. Departments are invited to nominate scholars, artists, and practitioners from any discipline. 

Application Information (Not currently accepting applications.)

Information for Wheaton College departments is available here: Department Information for International Visiting Scholar .

The nomination form is available here:  Stott International Visiting Scholar Nomination Form.    

Previous Recipients

• 2015-16: Celmali Okonji, Spoken Word Poet (Honduras/Kenya), hosted by Art
• 2016-17: Dr. David Dargie, Ethnomusicologist (South Africa), hosted by the Conservatory of Music
• 2016-17: Rev. Dr. D. Zac Niringiye, Bishop and Theologian (Uganda), hosted by Biblical and Theological Studies
• 2017-18: Anthony "Bong" Dela Fuente, Theologian, Pastor, and Film Scholar (Philippines), hosted by Sociology and Anthropology
• 2017-18: Dr. Elmer Lavastida and Gisela Pérez, Pastors, Theologians, and Integral Mission Practitioners (Cuba), hosted by Christian Formation and Ministry
• 2018-19: Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Theologian (Costa Rica), hosted by Biblical and Theological Studies.
• 2018-19: Dr. Tito Paredes, Anthropologist (Peru), hosted by Global Programs and Studies
• 2019-20: Dr. Nina Balmaceda, Political Scientist and Lawyer (Peru), hosted by International Relations and Political Science
• 2019-21: Dr. Yousaf Sadiq, Anthropology (Pakistan), hosted by Core Studies and Anthropology
• 2021-22: Dr. Jayachitra Lalitha, Theology (India), hosted by School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy.

Student Scholarships

For students participating in the Human Needs and Global Resources program, there are generous scholarships available to reduce the cost of travel and make the six-month internship financially feasible. 

To learn more about these scholarships, navigate to the Program Tuition and Funding page.