Applications

Our mission is to create a Centre of Excellence for theological and Canon Law Scholars who will contribute to ecclesial debates on both African and global fora. Women scholars are especially encouraged to apply for the doctoral scholarships, in line with ACETCL's commitment to promoting gender diversity in theological scholarship.

The programme was established to promote excellence in Theological and Canon Law research with particular attention to the African and global context. This will strengthen commitment to key contextual ecclesial issues like synodality, child protection, social justice among others. It will provide research opportunities for Fellows (post-docs) who have demonstrated a high calibre of research and scholarly acumen through publication, teaching and contribution to theology and Canon Law. It will also offer doctoral scholarships to African women and men theologians who have a passion for the Church within the African and global context. It is open to diocesan priests, religious and lay theologians.

The programme aims to:
(1) strengthen and channel the intellectual abilities, leadership, and contributions of African theologians and Canon lawyers towards the growth of the Church in Africa within the Catholic Church.
(2) foster a liberating and empowering spirit for African women and men theologians as well as Canon lawyers.
(3) create a network of African theologians and Canon lawyers committed to the mission of the Church in Africa within the Catholic Church.
(4) create opportunities for publishing and raising the profile of African theologians and Canon lawyers through conferences and networking activities.

Alumni of this programme will form a considerable pool of knowledge and networks, and research topics that will be supported and structured around the broader church, societal and theological and Canon law agenda to ensure that fellows and scholars alike are offering perspectives that are relevant for current global concerns. They are expected to continue to make contributions to theological and Canon law inquiry beyond the programme period.

ACETCL is housed at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).

ACETCL offers two types of scholarships:

- Doctoral scholarships (3-year duration)

- Post-doctoral fellowships (1-year duration)

The scholarship award will include tuition fees and a modest subsistence for the entire duration of the course of study. All expenses related to healthcare and transport to the university should be covered by the scholar.

The programme’s Board uses a rigorous merit based system in the selection process.
This entails:
(1) Application forms are received from prospective scholarship applicants
(2) Review of applications received to establish eligibility by the board
(3) Interview of the shortlisted candidates if necessary
(4) Decision is made on the award of scholarships to successful candidates
(5) Communication to successful candidates which will include the offer of scholarship and the structure of the programme

The program accommodates both English and French-speaking African scholars. English-speaking scholars will study at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, while French-speaking scholars will be enrolled at one of the Catholic Faculties of Theology in the French-speaking region.

The main areas of research align with the 6 departments of Theology and Canon Law. The 6 departments are: Biblical, Systematic, Moral, Spiritual, Sacred Liturgy and Pastoral Theology.

A prospective candidate needs to show interest in writing by filling in the application form and providing the information that meets the eligibility requirements. In order to apply:

Doctoral applicants should possess a Licentiate/Master's degree in Theology or Canon Law from an accredited institution. Postdoctoral fellowship applicants should be holders of a doctoral degree from an accredited institution. In addition, the applicants should attach the following:

(1) Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) - maximum of 5 pages
(2) An application letter indicating the area of study
(3) Recommendation from the competent superior (Bishop, Religious superior or Head of Institution).

NB: For Lay theologians, this endorsement may come from an academic institution, a recognized theological body, or a relevant organizational leader who can attest to the applicant’s qualifications and commitment to theological scholarship.
(4) Copies of academic Certificates The applicants ought to include in the application form anything that makes one stand out as scholars in their respective areas.

The programme accepts applications from candidates who come from diverse intellectual, societal and gender backgrounds, with a preference for women and candidates serving marginalized regions and communities. Among the specific requirements are that:

(1) They combine exceptional academic profiles as well as attention to social and community outreach.
(2) They are experts in subjects related to Christian Anthropology, Contextual Theology or Canon Law, and preferably have experience with cross-disciplinary studies.
(3) They demonstrate awareness of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, have knowledge of Catholic Social Thought, and feel the call to become Catholic Thought Leaders.

- A detailed curriculum vitae including publications done

-Academic transcripts and certificates

-Recommendation from the competent authority: Bishop/Religious superior

-Postdoctoral research fellows applicants should indicate their areas of interest in their fields of research

ACETCL provides scholars an opportunity to collaborate with other scholars within and beyond Africa through conferences and publications.

A candidate who fulfils the eligibility requirements of this scholarship may apply for the scholarship by filling and returning a completed application form during the application period as indicated in the Call for Application.

The scheme will support the different fields of Theology and Canon Law. This will be done in the following academic areas that will be discussed cohort by cohort with the scheme’s academic committee and will align with contemporary global topics of interest:
(1) Christian Anthropology: which comprises of research on philosophy, beliefs and Spirituality and which looks at the common ground among disciplines, people and thinking.
(2) Contextual Theology: which comprises of research on biblical and spiritual traditions and addresses the roots of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and apply it to the current contexts.
(3) Canon Law: which comprises of a specialized legal system and set of rules within the Catholic Church and a set of studies on the nature and structure of the Church, including its hierarchy, organization, discipline and mission.

The opportunities presented by the program are open to both women and men. However, women are actively encouraged to apply in order to empower them and boost their participation in theological and canonical matters where there are gaps. The program will be intentional in promoting women's participation for purposes of:
(1) Attracting more women to the field of theological research and fostering greater respect for their voices in global theological discourse.
(2) Reinforcing the program's recognition and acceptance of women’s abilities as competent intellectual, ecclesial and societal leaders and signaling the importance of their contributions to Catholic intellectual thought.

Those ready to do research in English will be admitted at the Catholic University of
Eastern Africa while those who prefer to do so in French will be enrolled at one of the
Catholic Faculties of Theology and Canon Law in the French speaking region. The
doctoral scholarships will be for a period of 3 years while that for post-doctoral
fellowship will be for a period of 1 year. Candidates will be required to commit to
completing their studies and research within these respective periods of time.

The application forms are available to interested applicants who meet the eligibility requirements through the following:

Downloading and filling the forms from the website of the African Centre of Excellence in Theology and Canon Law Here. The forms and the other documentations should be sent to: acetcl@cuea.edu. Further clarifications and guidance can be obtained by sending an email to the same address: acetcl@cuea.edu.

The applications should be submitted by the deadline stated in the Call for Applications.

The successful candidates are notified about the award via email by 30th of May. This will be sent through the programme’s official mailbox acetcl@cuea.edu.

An applicant who is not accepted on his or her first application is encouraged to submit an application in the subsequent year. However, if an applicant is not successful after two submissions, the applicant will no longer be eligible.