Love Ethic Faculty Fellowship

The Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG) invites applications for its 2027–28 Faculty Fellowship program. Sponsored by a transformative grant from the John Templeton Foundation, we are seeking five scholars to join a vibrant, interdisciplinary cohort dedicated to a crucial theme: Love and Ethics. We welcome projects from scholars that investigate how love intersects with ethics, whether through foundational moral theory, applied and real-world contexts, or broader cultural, social, and political questions.

For further explanation of this topic, including a list of potential research topics related to it, please see https://ethics.nd.edu/fellowships-and-grants/faculty/.

We welcome proposals from scholars working on substantial research projects related to this topic. Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, including—but not limited to—philosophy, theology, psychology, sociology, political science, law, literature, and the arts.

Although most Faculty Fellows hold appointments at colleges or universities, the fellowship is also open to independent scholars, journalists, artists, and others whose work engages meaningfully with the fellowship theme. Postdoctoral scholars with a strong record of achievement are likewise encouraged to apply.

Most fellowships will be awarded to scholars from outside the University of Notre Dame. However, Notre Dame faculty are eligible to apply, and a limited number of fellowships may be awarded to internal applicants.

We welcome applications from scholars based outside the United States, as well as from individuals representing a wide range of faith traditions and cultural backgrounds.

Fellows are expected to remain in residence for the duration of their fellowship. While preference will be given to applicants who are available for the full academic year (August–May), we will also consider applicants who are available for only the Fall semester (August–December). Such applicants, if selected, will receive a semester-long fellowship.

Faculty Fellows holding permanent faculty appointments at their home institutions will receive support equal to one-half of their academic-year base salary, up to a maximum of $80,000. Fellows’ home institutions are expected to provide the remainder of the salary as well as all benefits, including health insurance.

Fellows without permanent faculty appointments—such as independent scholars and postdoctoral researchers—will receive a salary of $80,000 together with University of Notre Dame benefits, including health insurance.

All Faculty Fellows receive a $1,000 annual research allowance and dedicated office space at ECG. Fellows who currently reside outside of the South Bend area receive a housing allowance of $1,500 per month.

Faculty Fellows will be joined by a cohort of graduate fellows, postdocs, and program chairs from Notre Dame who are pursuing their own ethics-based research projects and collaborate with the Faculty Fellows during weekly research seminars and other ECG events.

Throughout the year, ECG will organize robust programming to further explore the institute research theme and cultivate collaboration, such as work-in-progress seminars, guest lectures, book clubs, film viewings, and social events.

Applications for Faculty Fellowships must be submitted through Interfolio and should include the following:

1) Completed online application form

2) Cover letter

3) Curriculum vitae (no more than four pages, single-spaced)

4) Proposal abstract (no more than 400 words)

5) Fellowship research proposal (no more than six pages double-spaced; research proposals may include a works-cited or bibliography page, which does not count toward the six-page limit). In the research proposal, applicants should provide an explanation of the project they intend to pursue at ECG, including:

• How the proposed research aligns with the research theme and mission of the Institute
• Preliminary objectives for the research to be conducted (i.e., whether the research might result in a book, journal article, art work, etc.)
• The proposed work plan (including what research or work has already been accomplished, what will be done during the fellowship period, the methodology to be employed, and the organization of the scholarly project, book, or other work)

6) Public-engagement proposal (no more than two pages, double-spaced). In the public-engagement proposal, applicants should explain how they plan to engage a public audience with their proposed research project (e.g., through a newspaper op-ed, public discussion, podcast episode, etc.).

7) Two letters of reference. The letters should address the strength of the applicant’s proposed research project, its fit with the theme of Love and Ethics, and the applicant’s collaborative potential and collegiality.

8) (Optional) Up to two pages of non-text materials supporting the research proposal

Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their potential for research impact, fit with the theme, and fit with the Institute’s mission.

Finalists will be asked to be available for a brief Zoom conversation with committee members during the final stage of the selection process.