Susanna Wesley Foundation (SWF) is a part of the Southlands Methodist Trust (SMT), a charity of the Methodist Church in Britain, which supports research of significance to Church and Society.
During the summer of 2026, the SWF will be awarding a number of grants of up to £5,000 to support individuals or groups within Methodist-related institutions* in Britain pursuing innovative research and research-related activity in line with the aims and priorities of the SWF.
* broadly defined as schools, colleges, universities, churches, charities and other church-related organisations with a foundation or affiliation which is Wesleyan or Methodist in tradition.
Applications are invited for work within the following four areas:
- Learning for ministry, participation and collaboration
Exploring the processes of equipping people, lay and ordained, to enable flourishing, inclusive communities.
- Work, life and identity in ministry
Exploring ways in which those called to roles in faith organisations shape their contributions and how this work impacts on identity and well-being.
- Diversity and community
Exploring issues around difference, identity, inclusion and participation in churches and faith communities.
- Governance, management and organisation in churches
Exploring structures, systems, decision-making and transformative change processes within churches and faith communities.
Applications should be made using the form below and submitted to George Clayton at george.el.clayton@roehampton.ac.uk before the 14th of September. A scrutiny panel will meet during September/October and aim to confirm decisions in early November, after a meeting of the Trustee Board. Funding will be provided at dates during the course of the 2026-27 academic year which are appropirate to the project.
Applicants should arrange for two independent referees to write briefly in support of their application, by the same deadline and to the same email address, making it clear their support for this specific project.
Questions about the process, or relating to the Trust, should be directed to George Clayton in the first instance. If applicants would like a conversation about their project prior to submission, George will be able to meet but please be aware that any outcome of such a meeting will have no bearing on the final decisions made by the Board. Please note that a limited amount of funding is available annually for this process and applications will from time to time be unsuccessful regardless of intrinsic merits. The Trustees will consider the spread of topics covered by submissions when choosing successful projects. Final decisions about the allocation of funds will be made by a full meeting of the Trustee Board based on a range of criteria and in particular the Trust’s strategic objectives. Because of the number of applications received individual feedback on submissions cannot be provided.
SWF Grants for Project Funding
To apply, click on the button below and complete the form.