CALL FOR TEN (10) PARTICIPATION GRANTS | Circulating Faith: Christian Missions in a Global Perspective (1500–2000)

27 Marzo 2026

International Conference — 16–18 September 2026
Fondazione Bruno Kessler – Italian-German Historical Institute (FBK-ISIG)
Trento, Italy

 

Conference Description
The Italian-German Historical Institute (FBK-ISIG) of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler is pleased to announce the international conference Circulating Faith: Christian Missions in a Global Perspective (1500–2000), to be held in Trento (Italy) from 16 to 18 September 2026.

This even is hosted in partnership with the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies at Boston College.

Global missions have profoundly shaped Christian Churches from the early modern period to the contemporary era. Encounters with new social environments, epistemologies, and geographic contexts required continuous processes of adaptation, negotiation, and innovation in missionary life and practice.

Over three days, the conference will explore four major themes that have characterized the history of Christian missions:

  • knowledge production
  • everyday life
  • women and gender
  • conflict and negotiation

 

Participation Grants
The organizing committee invites applications from early career researchers, including Master’s and doctoral students, working on topics related to the history of Christian missions and global religious encounters.

Selected participants will attend the conference for its full duration and will present their ongoing research in a dedicated poster session designed for discussion and scholarly exchange. The session will provide an opportunity to receive feedback from senior scholars and to engage in dialogue with an international community of researchers.

This initiative aims to support emerging scholars and to foster new perspectives in the global history of Christian missions.

 

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:

1. Abstract (400–500 words) including:

  • title of the proposed presentation
  • research question and theoretical framework
  • sources and methodology
  • expected results or main research arguments

2. Short CV (maximum 2 pages) including:

  • institutional affiliation
  • relevant publications (if applicable)
  • contact email address

All materials must be combined into a single PDF file and sent by email to: [email protected]

 

Application deadline: April 30, 2026, 12:00 noon (CET)

 

Participation Grant
A total of ten (10) participation grants will be awarded.

Each grant will reimburse documented travel and accommodation expenses up to a maximum of €300.
Meals during the conference, including the conference dinner on [date], will be covered by the hosting institution.

The Fondazione Bruno Kessler reserves the right to increase the number of grants should additional funding become available, in order to support additional outstanding applications.

 

Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee according to:

  • scholarly relevance and quality of the proposal, including originality and potential contribution to the field
  • academic background and research experience

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by May 15, 2026.

Successful applicants must confirm acceptance within seven working days of notification.

 

Scientific Committee
Casalini Cristiano (IAJS)
Ferlan Claudio (FBK-ISIG)
Terrazas Williams Danielle (University of Leeds)

 

Contact
For further information, please contact:

The person responsible for the selection procedure and internal data processing is Massimo Rospocher, Director of the FBK-ISIG Research Center (see privacy notice: bit.ly/FBK_Informativa_Privacy_ScientificManagementSupport).