The German Catholic Bishops’ Conference is making available scholarships for theology students and clergy from the Orthodox churches. These scholarships will be awarded by the scholarship commission of the working group "Churches of the East" of the Commission for Ecumenical Affairs of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

In past decades, the Institute for Eastern Churches in Regensburg was in charge of Orthodox scholarship holders. As the Institute had to give up its premises in the Ostengasse in Regensburg at the end of 2012, the Catholic bishops in Germany have decided to put the Johann-Adam-Moehler-Institute for Ecumenics in Paderborn in charge of the Orthodox scholarship holders as of 2013.

Hence, all applications for a scholarship must be sent to the following address:

Stipendienkommission der
Arbeitsgruppe "Kirchen des Ostens"
Dr. Johannes Oeldemann
Johann-Adam-Moehler-Institut
Leostr. 19 a
33098 Paderborn
Germany

In future German language courses will be offered in Paderborn. In contrast to previous practice, no linguistic beginners are accepted onto these courses. Therefore, together with the application for a linguistic scholarship, basic knowledge of the German language – at least "A2" or "B1" level – must be proved. The first language course in Paderborn is scheduled to begin on 1st of July, 2013.

Scholarship applications for the language course must be sent to the above-mentioned address. Please enclose with the scholarship application the following required documents:

• an informal application for granting of a scholarship explaining why you would like to learn German;
• Curriculum vitae describing the course of the study;
• Certificate of proof of successfully completed theological basic studies (bachelor level);
• Certificate which proves basic knowledge of the German language (for example diploma awarded by a Goethe-Institute);
• a letter of recommendation from the responsible local Orthodox bishop.

The scholarship commission will decide to whom the scholarship will be awarded. The applicants will receive information about the decision in written form.

In addition to linguistic scholarships, also a restricted number of scholarships for the financing of research stays in German libraries as well as for studying theology in Germany will be awarded. In case you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to the following e-mail-address: stipendien@moehlerinstitut.de