The Center for the Study of Religion at The Ohio State University is pleased to announce the continuation of our short-term visiting scholar program. 

We are currently accepting applications from contingent and independent scholars, who may especially benefit from the opportunity to join our robust intellectual community. We expect the visiting scholar to be in residence at OSU for one week during the 2026-2027 academic year. Typically the visiting scholar is in residence during February or March, but we may be willing to consider alternate times during the fall or spring semesters. During that week, the scholar will offer a public research lecture, visit with students and classes, and participate in other Center initiatives, including our regular reading and writing groups. Depending on the scholar’s interests, additional events may be scheduled, such as a community program for audiences beyond the university. Details will be arranged via consultation between the selected scholar and center director. 

The visiting scholar will receive $3,000. Lodging, travel, and meals will also be covered. In addition, we can promise a warm, convivial intellectual community that will engage you and your work with openness, interest, and respect. 

Work on any historical period, religious tradition, or methodology is welcome. Though the area of specialization is open, we are particularly interested in scholars who are engaged in conversations about religion and the arts. This theme connects a number of events that the Center for the Study of Religion will host during the 2026-2027 academic year, including a community program on religious music and sound, an exploration of dance within Afro-Caribbean religion, a presentation on art in the early Christian world, and exhibits related to Mormonism and race and Hinduism and gender.  

This opportunity is open only to scholars with PhDs in hand who are not currently in a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty position. To submit a proposal, please compile the following materials into a single PDF and submit to religion@osu.edu. 

The review of proposals will begin on August 15, 2026 by a committee of faculty affiliated with the Center for the Study of Religion. Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to stake out bold directions in the study of religion that will engage scholars across different areas of specialization. . 

For more information, please contact the director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Isaac Weiner.