Forum For Theological Educators

November 19 - 21, 2025 Boston, MA

A gathering for underrepresented and underserved doctoral students to network, discover professional development opportunities, explore vocation, and gain mentorship

Apply to Attend

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

An opportunity for underrepresented and underserved scholars to explore and pursue a call to teach

Join us at The Forum for Theological Educators, a gathering that provides underrepresented and underserved doctoral students with networking, professional development, vocational exploration, and mentoring opportunities. This forum will be held in Boston, MA, before the annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature. FTE will cover the cost of travel, lodging, and meals for the duration of the forum.


Eligible student applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, or permanent residents.
  • Studying at a U.S. or Canadian institution.
  • Enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. or Th.D. religious, theological, or biblical studies program.
  • Within the first two years of their studies (coursework stage) at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year (September 1, 2025)
  • Present for the entire gathering in Boston, Massachusetts, from November 19 to November 21, 2025
  • Not enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). Students enrolled in D.Min. programs are ineligible for this opportunity.
Apply to Attend

Please note that you will be required to create an account to apply.


Frequently Asked Questions

All participants must be admitted full-time in a Ph.D. or Th.D. program in religious, theological, or biblical studies. They must be within the first two years of their program, and are expected to be present for the entire gathering in Boston, Massachusetts from November 19 to November 21, 2025.

The forum is only open to citizens and permanent residents of the U.S. and Canada. Students must also be enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the U.S. or Canada.


The deadline to apply to attend The Forum for Theological Educators is June 13, 2025. Materials received after this date will not be considered.

A complete application includes the following:

- Curriculum Vitae (CV)

- Vocational Essay

- Mentoring Statement of Need

- Transcript from Current Doctoral Program (or most recently attended graduate program for 1st year applicants)

- Faculty Letter of Recommendation

- Non-Academic Letter of Recommendation

- Letter of Admission/Acceptance to a PhD/ThD Program (for 1st-year applicants only)

The prompts for the essay and mentoring statement are in the application.

FTE will cover the cost of travel, lodging, and meals for the duration of the forum.

The Forum for Theological Educators will be held in Boston, MA, from the afternoon of November 19 to the morning of November 21, 2025, before the annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature.

Please email the FTE Community Engagement Manager, Marissa Akery, with more information or questions.