Description and Guidelines for Lilly Network Collaboration and Conferences

Lilly Network Collaboration and Conference Grants represent a flexible category of programs that brings together faculty and administrators from different institutions in church-related higher education. Collaborations invite a small group to consider a topic of concern or interest in a workshop setting, while conferences bring together a large group of faculty or administrators (possibly along with students or community members) to examine a common concern or topic of special significance to the group. The focus, character, and constituency of the conference or collaboration may vary to suit the needs of the applicant, within the general guidelines listed above. Previous successful conferences and collaborations have focused on issues facing schools in a particular region, student life issues, various theological or denominational traditions in higher education, an array of topics in liberal and professional education, and issues of civic and public concern to the Christian intellectual community.

Funding is available at $12,500 each for any number of Lilly Network Collaborations or Conferences taking place in the academic year following the application. It is expected that in many cases the host institution or group of institutions may also contribute to funding the conference. Institutions that have already received a grant in this category are eligible in the same category three years after the original grant was awarded. Nevertheless, at present, such schools can re-apply for a Lilly Network Collaboration or Conference Grant if the application demonstrates that the proposed project addresses a different audience than the previously funded one. 

The deadline for Conference and Collaboration applications is September 15 each year.

Applicants must consult with the Lilly Fellows Program Associate Director prior to submitting the application.

Before applying, please consult the "Guide to Writing Lilly National Network Grant Proposals."

Required Application Materials:

• Description of the Program (5 pages), including Executive Summary, Rationale, Connection to the Lilly National Network Mission, Goals of the Project, Project Description, and Evaluation Plan
• Preliminary schedule of Collaboration, Conference, or Workshop
• Projected budget
• CV of the Director of the Grant
• Cover Form (available here)

Submit all materials including the cover form as attachments to lillyfellows.program@valpo.edu.

Or mail these documents with the cover form to:

Lilly Fellows Program
Valparaiso University
Linwood House
1320 Chapel Drive South 
Valparaiso, IN 46383