Duke Divinity School is committed to supporting a new generation of transformative leadership that mirrors and ministers to the changing demographic landscape in the U.S. and beyond. The Black Church Studies and Latinx Studies Fellowship program is designed for those pursuing either the Certificate in Black Church Studies or the Certificate in Latinx Studies while enrolled in the residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program.  

In addition to receiving full-tuition scholarships, fellows participate in signature programming tailored to their vocational aims, including mentoring and professional formation supported by the Office of Black Church Studies and/or Hispanic House of Studies. Students are also eligible for funded field education placements through the Office of Field Education that provide financial support up to $40,000.

Fellowship Details

Fellows receive scholarship funding to cover the full cost of tuition for up to three years of study in the residential M.Div. program. In addition, the Divinity School provides the funding for regular programming and mentoring experiences.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply for the M.Div. through the regular Duke Divinity School admission process. The fellowship can be listed as an "Area of Interest" or folded into the narrative of the "Statement of Purpose." Learn more about applying to Duke Divinity School.

Eligibility

Black Church Studies and Latinx Studies fellows are selected on the basis of:

  • Capacity to flourish in Duke Divinity School’s academically rigorous community
  • Commitment to ministry leadership as vocation in African-American or Latinx contexts
  • A minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 from an accredited baccalaureate program or the most recent earned degree
  • Demonstrated engagement in the practice of ministry or service in other areas indicating compatible work or transferrable skills in African-American and/or Latinx communities OR a record of academic work that draws from the intellectual, theological, or practical projects of these contexts

Requirements

Black Church Studies or Latinx Studies fellows must be enrolled full-time as a residential student and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. Awards are renewable annually provided that the fellow remains in good academic standing and maintains acceptable progress toward their certificate as confirmed by the Office of Black Church Studies or Hispanic House of Studies.

"The Black Church Studies Fellowship was truly a life-changing opportunity for me. Firstly, I am grateful for the financial blessing that it was. As a non-denominational student, I did not have as many financial scholarship opportunities as others. Secondly, as a fellow, it was amazing to be in close proximity with so many Black scholars and practitioners that deeply aided in my vocational formation. The access I was offered through the fellowship allowed me to experience their representation in the academy, church, and marketplace, and sparked further curiosity within me as I continued to discern how God desires for me to also 'show up' in the fullness of who I am as a Black woman in theology. "

D'Andrea Fanning, M.Div. '23

"The Latinx Fellowship has been instrumental in fostering both personal and professional growth. It has offered opportunities for intellectual exploration, spiritual formation, and leadership development, allowing me to deepen my understanding of theology, ministry, and the complexities of serving Hispanic/Latinx communities. The fellowship's emphasis on inclusivity and collaboration has empowered me to embrace vulnerability, take risks, and engage in meaningful dialogue with peers and mentors from diverse backgrounds."

Andrés Pérez González, M.Div. '26